At a meeting in the British Medical Association (BMA) Rooms on the Terrace in Wellington, an interim committee for the Intellectually Handicapped Children’s Parents’ Association (IHCPA) – the forerunner to IHC – was formed.
Fifteen months ago, the first Newsletter appeared. Here is the second. It contains news and views that will interest friends as well as the parents of retarded children. Extracts from the report of a Joint Expert Committee of the World Health Organisation are fairly fully quoted. There are extracts from other overseas writings which show an individual approach to child training that we think is worth study.
The IHCPA condemned the placement of children in large institutions like Templeton (Christchurch) and Kimberley (Levin), where they ‘deteriorated physically and mentally’.
The Wellington Branch of the I.H.C. Children’s Parents’ Association (Inc.) has opened a shop at 162 Jackson Street, Petone, where used goods are sold. The shop is run entirely by voluntary helpers, the proceeds going to I.H. persons of the greater Wellington area.
Excerpts from Dr D.M.G Beasley, president of the Intellectually Handicapped Children's Society of New Zealand, presentation at the congress of the International League of Societies for the Mentally Handicapped, held in Jerusalem.
Mr E. D. Hodder, who has been associated with the I.H.C Society for 18 years as a voluntary worker, has been appointed the North Shores Branch's first administrator.
Under a Volunteer Helper Scheme sponsored by the Welfare Council of the Templeton Hospital and Training School in conjunction with the hospital, 24 members of the community visit Templeton regularly, some travelling up to 30 miles to do so.
These workers at the Ra-Maru opportunity workshop in Blenheim are producing thread and metal articles of attaching labels to clothes.
Almost 50 voluntary workers had been recruited by the Nelson Branch and were assisting at the day care centre and the babies' ward of Braemar Hospital, the Branch President, Mr F. A. Mcilroy, told the annual meeting.
A group of community spirted young people in Palmerston North are doing their part to make life a little more satisfying for intellectually handicapped children.
The story of the Society's rise from small beginnings to the large and vital national organisation of today was in many respects a masterpiece of public relations by voluntary and dedicated citizens convinced of their cause and so enthusiastic that they successfully carried this enthusiasm to win the co-operation of the whole community, Mr G. F. Gair, Under-Secretary to the Minister of Education, told the annual conference at Blenheim.
The title "opportunity workshop" is not only apt but challenging as well, the Prime Minister, Sir Keith Holyoake, told those present at the official opening of a new opportunity workshop at Masterton.
"Such recognition of rights as has been attained for the mentally retarded in New Zealand seems to have been given to date on the grounds of charity and compassion rather than of right."
State establishments for intellectually handicapped children do little to help them progress, Miss Avery Jack, senior sociology lecturer at Victoria University in Wellington, told the annual meeting of the Southland Branch of the Society.
Co-ordination between voluntary helpers and professional workers, so that help for the less fortunate could be more effective , was his aim for the I.H.C. and related organisations, the Minisler of Health, Mr Tizard, said in New Plymouth recently.
Until about 25 years ago mentally retarded persons were a forgotten group. The medical people were not interested in them. When they made the diagnosis "mental retardation" the next sentence was "there is nothing you cu do about it." Research in the field of mental retardation seemed hopeless and very few scientists were attracted in that direction. The parents of the mentally retarded children were crushed down by shame. Such was the social stigma attached to the problem that they tried to hide their children and at best did not talk about them.
Voluntary agencies such as the New Zealand Society for the intellectually Handicapped which work in the field of health care will not be taken over or phased out by the Government.
The Minister of Social Welfare, Mr King, said he was confident that there could be built into the new working arrangements a much more effective functional liaison between the voluntary and statutory services at both the national and the regional levels than had ever before been achieved.
The dedication of a voluntary worker is of a different quality and standing form the dedication of a worker in an institution, Dr H. Bennett, Superintendent of Tokanui Hospital, told the Society's annual conference at Greymouth.
The full utilisation of informed and committed volunteers at every level is imperative if the New Zealand Society for the Intellectually Handicapped is to carry out its important roles, said the Society's National Adviser on Services, Dr Dorothy Howie.
A summer school held at Masterton in January focussed on helping very young handicapped children whose expressive language was just developing. It also provided an enjoyable holiday for the whole family, with fun for all children and workshops on language development for parents.
In considering choice or options the question must be asked: Should the voluntary Society be operating services at all? Does not the operating of services compromise the Society's independence as an advocate? Should the Society's role therefore, be one of advocacy and change agency only with the Society monitoring the services of Government and other agencies providing services and with the Society acting as an ombudsman and watchdog for the rights of the intellectually handicapped? This is an issue on which there is considerable difference of opinion throughout the world in developed countries with advanced welfare programmes.
"Some members may not be aware that an enthusiastic group of volunteers, members of the N.Z. Society for Music Therapy, are assisting I.H. trainees throughout the country," writes Mrs Marie Franklin, of the Auckland Society for Music Therapy Inc.
A toy library for children with special needs was officially opened in Timaru.
In 1980 Norm Cashmore, an IHC volunteer from Taranaki Branch, comes up with the idea of farmers donating young calves to IHC as a fundraising activity
Dudley Hafiner, Executive Vice President of the American Heart Association, has some interesting things to say in the September 1980 issue of Fund Raising Management about the role of volunteers.
Certificate of merit from the Society awarded to 78-year-old Les White, of Nelson, upon his retirement from voluntary work at Nelson Branch's Bolt Rd workshop.
The IHC has become New Zealand's first voluntary welfare organisation to raise more than $1 million in a house-to-house appeal.
Our Opportunity Shop, based in Auckland.
Volunteers sell Christmas cards in Auckland
Written by Barbara Dolomore for Canterbury Branch's newsletter, Canterbury Tales.
In 1982 Mick Murphy, IHC volunteer from Marlborough branch, is invited by the IHC's New Zealand Committee to pilot the Calf Scheme in six IHC branches
Wairarapa Branch opened a shop in Masterton's Centerpoint - a modern group of shops in the centre of Masterton
On hearing form the National Office of IHC that the YMCA/IHC Volunteer Leadership Course is now available, Waikato Branch approached the local YMCA about running the course in Hamilton.
The Canterbury Branch recently welcomed the new Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Geoff Palmer, when he opened the Branch's new retail shop and launched their 1984 Christmas Card Programme.
Westland Branch Members have earned a reputation as providers of fine food.
Each year Wanganui Branch holds a holiday programme for the children in the area.
IHC Canterbury has had a high profile over the last few months at various shows in Christchurch.
The IHC shop in the Northtown Mall
Harry Wilson, Recreational Co-ordinator for IHC, shares his thoughts on that most elusive species of them all - the volunteer!
Hokitika now has a shop managed and staffed by clients from a local training centre.
Through the generosity of the Waikato South public. the pre-school at Waikato South branch now has a spa pool! A dream come true!
Meet two of IHC's volunteers
Audrey Buel talks to Maureen Wood, President of the IHC West Auckland Branch.
There is a reading programme in Tauranga for adults with an intellectual handicap that is producing startling results.
Margaret Hore is the volunteer co-ordinator for IHC Tauranga.
Meet two volunteers help make the IHC/Wrightson Calf Scheme a success.
Jack Brotherston left Ireland aged 16 to start a new life in New Zealand, build a successful catering business, become city councillor and serve as a member of IHC for 18 years.
The contributions of three long-time volunteers were acknowledged in June when they were listed in the Queen's Birthday Honours for their service to IHC.
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