50 years of Diverse Abilities Plus

Marilyn Edwards
Marilyn was born in 1948.
It took 2 years to diagnose her disability.
“Put her away she will only be a cabbage,” her mum was told.

The Journey Begins
After pressure from specialists and the lack of support Mrs Edward reluctantly had to take their advice and in 1954 Marilyn went away to a large institution near Southampton.

50 Years of Diverse Abilities Plus
Mrs Edwards placed an Advert in the Echo – “I am trying to trace parents of spastic children who live in the area, with the idea of forming a parent group. Anyone who is interested would they please write to me”.
Mrs P.J Edwards

The First Meeting
The second advert produced 9 replies
30 people attended the first meeting and the society was born

Bournemouth & District Group National Spastics Society
Within two months officials and committee appointed
Primary aim was the establishment of a day centre for spastic children
May 1955

Stafford Road
February 23rd 1956 the Rest Centre was opened
Physio and speech therapists were employed
Open on Monday to Thursday with running costs of £12 per week!

Stafford Road Rest Centre

Next step – Langside Centre
On Feb 23rd 1959 the construction of Langside Centre started
The Centre opened on the 31st Oct 1959 and cost £5000
Day Special School for 15 children

Langside School today – 30+ pupils

Langside School

Langside – Adventure Playground

Next step - Edward House
1972 construction begins
March 18th 1974 the first residents were admitted and accommodated 16 adults.

Edward House – first residents

Edward House

Edward House – opening of extension (yes, that’s Matt Munro!)

1983 Friends of Edward House formed. Main aims:
Fundraising / Jumble Sales
Social Evenings
Christmas Dinner

Ensbury Park – more children’s services
May 1989 a bungalow was purchased
Providing respite care for children.

Barnabas – Adult Day Opportunities
1992 St Barnabas site was purchased in Alderney
September 1994
Day Opportunities opened.

Barnabas

Smithers Short Term Breaks
1995 Children's respite transferred to 17 Manor Avenue.

Soft Play Area – purchased with MG1020 donations

Name Change
May 1997 renamed to:
Dorset Scope
With a new strap-line
Breaking Disability Barriers
Exploring New Horizons

Supported Living
With the closure of residential homes beginning in 2002 the first people moved into their own home.
With £1.6m of charity funds invested in the project.

Happy in my own home – quote “I can’t believe it!”

Happy in my own home – after 78 years of institutional care…..

Shapes – Domiciliary Service
A further development to Children’s Services
‘Shapes’ Domiciliary Service opens in 2005 providing support in children’s own homes.

15th April 2010
Change from Dorset Scope to Diverse Abilities Plus
A change to acknowledge the diverse range of people that we are able to support and the diverse range of services that we are able to offer.

The Founding Edwards Family

50 years of Diverse Abilities Plus

by Julie Williams on Sep 07, 2010

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50 years of Diverse Abilities Plus — Presentation Transcript