Page 19 - link magazine

ROUGHMOOR 19

BECOMING PART OF

OUR COMMUNITY
The Roughmoor Centre at Washpool, Shaw, was once a rural retreat
for deafpeople. Soon it will be surrounded by houses as West Swindon
moves northwards. Here, Terry Waters, Director of the Centre, des-
cribes the work of this nationally recognised facility for the deaf.
The Roughmoor Centre is based added which now houses a wash-
off the Washpool Road in Old ing machine and large spin-dryer,
Shaw. As a derelict farmhouse a potato peeler, a rotary iron and
belonging to the Swindon a deep freeze.
Borough Council it was leased by In 1980 the small and unused Gillian Barber, Terry and Ethel Waters
the Breakthrough Trust in 1974. field at the bottom of the vege- ness and training weekends, for The Roughmoor Centre is
The Trust is a national charity table garden was rented and is handicrafts and hobbies week- available to all who have queries
devoted to the practical integra- now converted into an adventure ends such as fishing, patchwork about deafness and items of use-
tion of deaf and hearing people playground. This was only pos- and quilting, yoga etc. In addition ful equipment, with many on dis-
through many varied projects. sible with the help of local to this we have many visitors play. It's Directors and staff give
The farmhouse project was run volunteers who helped to raise from schools for deaf children all talks on Deaf Awareness and
by two directors, one deaf and the necessary funds. This play- over the country, who learn how Communication to any local
one hearing. For the first three ground gives much pleasure to to look after themselves and groups and schools for a small
years, with very basic living the many, mainly deaf children each other, and broaden their fee. Please write or ring 771021
accommodation for 12 people in who stay at the Centre, often knowledge of the practicalities of during weekday mornings for
two large bedrooms, the farm- from deprived families. A walled life while improving their educa- further details.
house was used by many deaf/ patio was added with herbs tion. A new appeal is being launched
hearing families from all parts of planted in the walls for the An increasing number of pro- to raise funds to enable us to
the country. The basic improve- enjoyment of the deaf/blind jects held at the Centre are in the repair an old building for use as a
ments were funded by money guests. field of telecommunications for garage in which to keep our new
raised from local fundraising, In 1983 the derelict agricultural deaf people in which field the 15 seater minibus, and tool shed
whilst the staff salaries came building in front of the farmhouse Breakthrough Trust has been and workshop for storage and
from two or three charitable was demolished by workers on deeply involved and is fully repairs.
trusts. Community Service Orders and committed to the improvement Local fundraising or individual
The project was so popular with much help from the local of the facilities available to deaf donations will be very much
that there was a need to drastically Marks and Spencer store, funds people. appreciated.
improve the facilities available. were raised to build a games hail.
In 1977 the warden/co-ordinator This offers facilities for 2
who lived in the farmhouse moved snooker/pool tables, 2 dart- BATHE
out to a nearby village with her boards in safe playing areas and 2
family and eventually ceased table tennis tables.
working for the Trust in 1979. All the improvements could & SELBY
The other co-ordinator moved not have been carried out with-
up to Swindon from Southampton out the fundraising efforts of the MANOR ROAD, WESTCOTT PLACE
with his family in 1977 - he is Directors and many local volun-
deaf, took over as sole Director teers. Nationally funds were SWINDON. TEL: 29352
in 1979 and is still there. raised by contacting companies (Behind Mike Knight Tyres)
A great deal of fundraising advertising large profits and who
was necessary, both locally and were charitably minded, from
nationally, together with local Charitable Trusts and from small, • ACCIDENT REPAIRS
appeals for cash or goods during regular grants, mainly for admin-
the years 1977 and 1978 to pay istrative work. Fundraising events • SERVICING
for many improvements, includ- include donkey derby, show-biz
ing the building of a community football match, flag days, stalls • MOT TESTS
hall adjoining the farmhouse. and bazaars, coffee mornings, etc.
In an effort to save money and All these facilities are of no use
in line with the policy of the unless they serve a purpose, and
Breakthrough Trust, the com- the original purpose is still the
munity hall was built over the same, that of improving deaf and
next 11/2 years with the combined hearing integration in the United CAWK900VIRRADO
efforts of 450 deaf and hearing Kingdom. Throughout the year
volunteers from all parts of the groups of people of all ages, deaf,
country. Enough funds were hearing, partial hearing and deaf
raised to pay for a much larger with additional handicaps such Contact us for all your legal needs
septic tank, gas central heating, as deaf / blind, deaf / physically
home-made wooden bunk and handicapped, deaf / mentally including
single beds, additional toilets handicapped, deaf / deprived, house sales & purchases,
and shower, and a lounge was come and stay here. Their stays
converted into two bedrooms. vary from a 2 or 3 day weekend matrimonial matters and
The farmhouse can now accom- to a week-long project, some
modate 24 people in six bed- came for a holiday and make full criminal law.
rooms. use of the local facilities of West
The kitchen was drastically Swindon as well as travelling to 103-4 Commercial Road, Swindon.
improved to allow for groups to the many interesting and varied
be self-catering or to be catered places within easy reach of Tel: 617617
for. In 1979 a utility room was Swindon. Others come for busi-