Seeleys House clients and staff celebrate 25 years of caring

SPEND even a short time at Seeleys House in Beaconsfield and you come away re-evaluating your own world.
This centre for adults with severe learning difficulties made a huge impression on me when I toured it with manager Mel Bullock last week.
Seeleys House day care centre provides a caring environment for 30 adults most of whom are who are also so profoundly physically disabled that they cannot speak or even sit up.
Most live in residential care homes within a six mile radius but some are looked after at home by their families, many of whom have other children to care for.
We met Lisa Pickering, who was enjoying a physiotherapy session, Jane Leach, who was concentrating on a basic jigsaw puzzle like the ones my own children did pre-school. Andrew Shotton was at a computer, with which he is able to communicate using pictures, and in the art room several men and women were colouring in pictures.
Managed by Buckinghamshire County Council, Seeleys House - which also has a respite wing with 12 beds, relies heavily on fund-raising to pay for extras that make the days enjoyable - such as day trips, and a wheelchair swing bought recently by the Friends of Seeleys House at a cost of £8,000.
The centre includes a kitchen, where more able clients learn to cook using produce they have grown in the garden, and a sensory room, where those unable to communicate through speech enjoy different smells, sounds and textures.
A team of volunteers assist the staff of around 13 at any one time.
Ms Bullock said: "Some of our clients are older and don't have families, and a minority live at home. It's important both for the clients and for their families that they have a caring place to go during the day where there's a structured routine. Sudden change can be very frightening."
The centre has had to cancel swimming trips for most of its clients because of new legislation that requires a lifeguard present for those that are less mobile, despite the fact that one carer is in the water with each client.
Ms Bullock said: "We used to use the pool at Heritage House School in Chesham, and it was fantastic, the clients got so much out of it. We looked into buying a spa for Seeleys House, but the upkeep and maintenance is prohibitively expensive. So now we use Amersham Pool, but we can only take those who can walk."
"We thought perhaps the leisure centres could loan us somebody but they're too short staffed. So if there is a qualified lifeguard among your readers who would be prepared to volunteer for us once or twice a month that would be absolutely fantastic."
Volunteer helpers are always welcome. To find out more telephone Ms Bullock on 01494 677902. Or visit Seeleys House Christmas Fair which takes place this Saturday, November 28th, at the centre in Campbell Drive, Beaconsfield. For more visit www.seeleyshouse.org.uk

This article will be published with photographs in Thursday's Advertiser.