Mitchell House LIFE SKILL & TRAINING CENTRE OPEN

Mitchell House LIFE SKILL & TRAINING CENTRE OPEN ON 19 JANUARY 2008

 

The Enrichment Centre caters for pupils with moderate to severe cognitive and or physical disabilities, who require extensive ongoing support in one or more major life activity in order to participate in integrated community settings and to enjoy a quality of life that is available to citizens with fewer or no disabilities.

Support may be required for life activities such as mobility, communication, self-care and learning as necessary for independent living and employment.
Intervention for the pupils who attend the Enrichment centre involves Individualised Education Plans designed according to each pupil's unique needs. Each Individualised Plan provides a holistic, inclusive and supportive educational programme for the pupil.

At present sixteen pupils attend the Centre, their ages varying from 6 years to 16 years. We are currently developing a Life-skill and training programme for the older pupils.

It is imperative that the service we offer is extended in order to provide a programme which supports young adults, thus ensuring that they become contributing members of our community.

In any given community, whether geographic or cultural, a certain number of children belonging to that community will require specific support interventions.

Due to the development of the Mitchell House College, the extension of the Enrichment Centre falls within the demographic of the school community.

We currently have a waiting list of fourteen children.

Some of these children have been on our waiting list for three years.

These parents are desperate to enrol their children at the Enrichment Centre so that they can receive the specialised intervention necessary for their development.

The Enrichment Centre is the only facility in Polokwane which caters for children with physical disabilities and which offers programmes which support children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Autism; severe challenging behaviour) and children in need of Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

There is no other option or choice for families living in our community.

 

The extension of the Enrichment Centre would:
    Provide a training programme for young adults.
    Cater for children on the waiting list.
    Ensure younger intake.
    Create a feeding system.

 

It is imperative that the extension of the Enrichment Centre upholds the ethos upon which "Pathways"was built.
Always striving for and maintaining excellence and above all nurturing and supporting families and children with disabilities re- gardless of race, religion, creed, colour, gender or socioeconomic background.

 

 

 

VOLUNTEERS FOR THE
ENRICHMENT CENTRE

 

If you would like to assist in the Enrichment Centre or would like to present to our staff at our Professional Development sessions—it must be education / child orientated, please contact Sue Altenroxel at pathways@polka.co.za.