Occupational Therapy Workshops ('OTWs') at Social Welfare Home ('SWH') in Krakow



	What are Occupational Therapy Workshops? Occupational Therapy Workshops (‘OTWs’) are specialist centres realising tasks in connection with social and work rehabilitation in connection with general development of each participant, necessary for independent, self reliant and active life in the community. These aims are achieved by the OTWs through development of: Basic skills Life skills Social skills Work skills The setting up and running costs of OTWs have been and continue to be met by the National Fund for Rehabilitation of Disabled People (‘NFRDP’).

			What is NFRDP?


National Fund for Rehabilitation of Disabled People was established in May 1991. Currently the Fund is set up under the provisions of legislation dated the 27 August 1997 concerning occupational therapy and community care and employment of people with disabilities with subsequent amendments. This legislation had a marked effect on change in the community, occupational and health situation of people with disabilities to their advantage. Financial resources of NFRDP are used for the following: Support of existing places of work which are in danger of closure, Contributions towards government and local authority projects for people with disabilities, Setting up and running of employment advice centres, Contributions towards recreational projects in the nature of summer camps etc for people with disabilities, Setting up and running of occupational therapy workshops, Grants for Companies producing equipment and aids for people with disabilities, Preparation and dissemination of printed information and educational materials, Support of building, extending and modernising places for rehabilitation, Support of works in connection with alterations of buildings means of access and similar and in connection with transport to accommodate easier access for people with disabilities, Payment of percentage of salaries for people with severe and moderate disabilities so assessed undertaking work by direction of county employment agency according to the degree of their disabilities and for payment of National Insurance, Refunding of costs incurred by employers in connection with education of people with disabilities employed by them , Financing costs of education of people with disabilities. Apart from the above mentioned areas covered by NFRDP the Fund also advertises particular programmes in connection with it makes loans to people with disabilities to enable them to purchase motor cars, computers and to make necessary alterations to their accommodation to meet their specific needs.
Occupational Therapy Workshops at Social Welfare Home(‘SWH’) at ul Lanowa 43 in Krakow OTWs at the above address were one of the first to have been set up in the old County of Krakow in 1994. Participants of these OTWs were people with moderate and severe learning difficulties and motor skill problems. At their inception the OTWs had 17 participants. In 2002 the numbers increased to 22. 13 of these are residents of SWH. 9 people (3 females and 6 males) reside in the local community and are day attendants. 9 qualified people are members of the personnel running the OTWs at SWH. The participants form 4 main groups. OTWs are open from five days from Monday to Friday (both inclusive) from 8 am to 3.30 pm. Engagement in these workshops has a beneficial effect on the participants’ self esteem. All workshops are directed towards greater independent existence and towards the possibility of obtaining employment.

		The Main Workshops:
		THE POTTERY/CERAMICS WORKSHOP The classes offer participants an improvement of manual skills with choice of styles and subjects. There is the opportunity to develop knowledge of basic hand-building skills working with clay and gypsum, using a variety of hand-building and decorating techniques. The whole group of participants is responsible for the collective process of making the pottery to follow and suit and by support from instructor of the therapy workshop . A wide range of different items of pottery can be made as there are turning wheel and ceramics oven kiln. THE WOODWORKING WORKSHOP The content of these sessions involves mainly the identification and use of tools and materials, including the construction of small projects predominantly all made of wood. The programme aims to provide an opportunity for participants to develop dexterity, manipulative skills and awareness of materials and processes used in workshop. The practical application of acquired skills allows the participants to do small repair jobs in the workshop and in the Social Welfare Home. This in turn motivates them to do other jobs and increases their own self esteem. THE TEXTILES WORKSHOP These sessions are designed to give participants irrespective of their abilities the opportunity to explore such skills as knitting, embroidery, machine and hand sewing. It involves practical work, which meets the individual needs and skills. THE ART WORKSHOP These sessions are aimed to provide a stimulating and a wide range of sensory and art activities. The art programme allows participants to explore and develop their artistic skills and abilities , using a variety of techniques, materials and subject matter. These workshops are significant for those who can’t use other communication skills. all photos gallery
OTHER ACTIVITIES FOR ALL PARTICPIPANTS: PHYSIOTERAPHY There is an opportunity to improve flexibility and suppleness, enhance stamina and strength and acquire new skills through a variety of team, individual, sports and exercises. Individually tailored programmes include medically recommended physiotherapy corrective exercises i.e. exercises of corrective a nature. A specially selected group of participants takes part every year in nation-wide ‘Special Olympics’ organised for people with special needs. COOKERY This activity is designed to improve participants’ skills, which they can use in the kitchen, and helps to develop confidence and ability to cook for themselves (easy snacks and meals). It also aims to teach the participants how to use all kinds of kitchen equipment safely and understand the importance of personal and kitchen hygiene. Following this programme participants learn domestic household chores and table manners. COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND LEISURE (photos) This programme is a series of sessions in the community and aimed to help participants to achieve their independence and greater awareness of issues surrounding personal development, citizenship and customer care. Activities are designed around the following subjects: road skills, shopping/money, using public transport, including key skills and using the telephone, support services, banking/post office/building society, leisure, entertainment. DRAMA (photos) Drama is designed to provide an enjoyable and lively subject. The participants access a whole variety of areas where dramatic situations can be created and followed through as an exercise to their natural conclusion. Participants use drama games, improvisation techniques, character building, mask and puppet work to explore social and personal issues. Some of the performances are presented both at the Social Welfare Home and at theatre festivals for people with special needs. PHOTOGRAPHY This session helps participants to have a basic understanding of how to take photograph, try out a variety of cameras and accessories and learn how to use chemicals and equipment for developing and printing their black and white photographs. MEETING WITH PSYCHOLOGIST Such meetings can take place individually or in a group. The meetings with individuals aim to assess the individual’s ability to function. The assessment then results in the setting of the Individual Therapy Programme. The meetings of the Psychologist with individuals also aim to address difficult and intimate problems of the individual concerned. The meetings in a group can be of two types i.e. educational or relaxational /stimulatory. The educational group deals with communication skills and collaboration skills. The second group comprises sessions, which aim to diffuse tensions and help individuals to relax. These sessions also stimulate the individuals’ awareness of self and his surroundings. PASTORAL AND RELIGIOUS MEETINGS These meetings usually take the form of participation in a Mass and in the form of religious instructions and discussions.