XN000022-1989-07-12 — Page 37

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 1989

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VISIT TO NEW LIFE FARM

*

A GROUP OF YOUTH VOLUNTEERS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED THE NEW LIFE FARM OF THE NEW LIFE PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION IN TUEN MUN TO GET A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS.

THE YOUTHS WERE BRIEFED ON THE OPERATION OF THE AGRICULTURAL WORKSHOP AND HOSTEL WHICH PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR 40 AND SHELTERED EMPLOYMENT FOR 60 DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS.

WORKERS IN THE FARM GROW VEGETABLES AND PLANTS, REAR PIGS AND PIGEONS AND SELL THE PRODUCE. THE INCOME, AFTER DEDUCTING THE COSTS OF SEEDS, YOUNG ANIMALS, FODDER,

AND SO ON, WOULD BE SHARED AMONG THE WORKERS.

FERTILISERS

TO SUPPLEMENT THE INCOME FROM FARMING, THE FARM ALSO OBTAINS SIMPLE ASSEMBLY WORKS FROM OTHER SHELTERED WORKSHOPS OF THE ASSOCIATION.

VOLUNTEERS

LEARNED

THAT

THE

FARM'S

THE

OPEN ENVIRONMENT, RELAXED WORKING PATTERN AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ARE CONDUCIVE ΤΟ THE REHABILITATION OF MENTAL PATIENTS, ESPECIALLY CHRONIC PATIENTS WHO ARE OLD AND HAVE LIMITED WORKING CAPACITY.

EARLIER, THE GROUP WAS BRIEFED ON MENTAL REHABILITATION SERVICES BY A SOCIAL WORKER.

ILLNESS AND

SHAN KING HALF-WAY PROVIDED FOR 40 RECOVERED MENTAL

THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO THE ASSOCIATION'S HOUSE, WHERE RESIDENTIAL CARE IS PATIENTS.

BY

THE GROUP WAS TAKING PART IN A YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME,

YOUR COMMUNITY", "CONCERN, REALISE AND PARTICIPATE IN

ORGANISED THE WEST KOWLOON REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

OTHER GROUPS OF YOUNG PEOPLE TAKING PART IN THE PAID VISITED VARIOUS COMMUNITY SERVICE FACILITIES SUCH THE ELDERLY, YOUNG OFFENDERS AND THE DISABLED.

TRAINING

HAD PROGRAMME AS HOMES FOR

THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WILL TAKE PART IN A

CAMP AT THE ΤΑΙ DUKE OF EDINBURGH TRAINING CAMP IN

PO THIS WEEKEND WHEN THEY WOULD SHARE THE EXPERIENCE GAINED FROM THE VISITS AND DISCUSS POSSIBLE SERVICES FOR CLIENTS IN THESE FACILITIES.

THE PROGRAMME IS ONE IN A SERIES OF REGIONAL YOUTH

DEPARTMENT TO PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY THE

ASSIST YOUNG BECOME MATURE AND RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

DEVELOPMENT

PEOPLE

то

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