Leisure workshops for parents and carers

Abstract

The organization of meaningful leisure-time activities for people with profound and multiple disabilities has always been a major concern of their parents and carers. Where to buy suitable equipment and toys, how to use them, what games and activities could be adapted to allow participation, whom to turn to for advice and help: these and many other similar questions were raised by families in meetings held in the early stages of the Mencap Profound Retardation and Multiple Handicap (PRMH) Project (since April 1992, Mencap Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities (PIMD) Section). As an initial response to these concerns, the Project organized a 3-day exhibition of toys and equipment at a school in Manchester. Suppliers and manufacturers of specialist equipment in the UK participated in the exhibition, and families and relevant professionals were invited. An information sheet giving details of a large number of manufacturers and suppliers of toys and equipment was drawn up as a result of the exhibition. This is updated regularly and copies are available from the Mencap PIMD Section (see address at the end of this chapter). Following on from this, the Project organized a number of leisure schemes for children and adults with profound disabilities during holiday periods.