based on an account written in 1981:
- Part of the Accident Hospital
- Situated at 29 Exeter Road, Selly Oak
- Opened in 1967, established by the Head Injury Rehabilitation Trust
- The aims of the Centre are:
- To provide rehabilitation for short stay patients who have the potential to return to work
- To provide a sheltered workshop for patients who can work productively but would be unacceptable in open employment
- Staffing was as follows:
- 1 Head Occupational Therapist who was manager of the Centre
- 2 Occupational Therapy Helpers
- 2 Occupational Therapy Technicians
- 1 social worker (part time)
- 1 visiting speech therapist
- 1 psychologist 2 days a week
- 1 visiting remedial gymnast
- 1 clerk/typist (part time)
- 2 domestics (part time)
- Up to maximum of 35 patients (males and females) between age 16 and 65 years accepted at Centre
- Non-head injury patients could be accepted if it was felt that the Centre could assist in their recovery without denying a place to a patient who was suffering a head injury
- Very severely handicapped and mentally disturbed patients could not always be accepted
- All the patients attended daily but as there was no on site hostel facilities the catchment area was determined by the availability of transport
- The main emphasis of the Centre was on the establishment and the maintenance of a good working routine
- There were two large workshops where a variety of assembly, sorting and packing work was done:
- For example, rubber bath plugs were assembled and components for curtain rail fittings were counted, cut and packaged cardboard boxes, box files and index cabinets were produced
- Clerical work such as collating and stapling booklets and the making of birthday cards was undertaken
- The Centre relied on firms for all their jobs either to supply it with work or purchase the end products such as box files
- The Centre also had a woodwork area where a variety of small items were made in according to the individual person’s specification were made. This included wine racks, small shelf units, mug trees. Items produced at the Centre were available for sale
- Despite this industrial setting considerable emphasis is placed on other aspects of rehabilitation according to individual patient need, for example assessment and training in daily living skills, re-education for those with intellectual impairment, improved social skills, helping to improve and overcome speech and physical disabilities
- Patients may be seen individually or in small groups. A speech group was held each week and a social skills group held two afternoons a week
- Initially lacking a kitchen and canteen money was raised by charitable donations including the Head Injury Rehabilitation Trust and the Birmingham Accident Hospital League of Friends funded the conversion of two rooms to meet the catering needs
- Those patients who were long term attendees at Exeter Road were invaluable members, with their families of the Head Injury Club which met every 1st and 3rd Monday of each month in the social club at the Accident Hospital. Various social past times were arranged for the patients, their families, and friends.