Leisure education at Dorset House

Abstract

After working at Aldersgate Centre for some time as a recreation officer, I began to realise that many of the young unemployed people using the centre had minimal, if any, leisure skills. I often heard complaints about there being nothing to do, nowhere to go and little money to spend. Feelings of boredom and isolation were expressed frequently and were usually accompanied by a sense of worthlessness, depression and loss of motivation. Very few of the people I met had any knowledge of the community resources available to them and those that did know, didn't possess the confidence or motivation to use them. I decided to work with an already established group and approached Dorset House for the following reasons. The main type of illnesses, people living there suffer from, are schizophrenic -type disorders, manic/depressants, anxiety neuroses, and personality disorders. A compulsory structured programme is run for thirty hours a week and includes components of therapy, work, craft, sports, socialising and social skill development. The programme aims to teach people the living skills they require in order to manage once they are left to their own resources.