Training Workshop in Malawi

The workshop has been progressing with the ambition of everyone being able to learn the techniques and also to have some examples made to take back to their own Resource Centre

We kept on having to stop and make paste until

this group got up early and made a decent quantity!!

Children visited so everyone see the equipment in action and also learn more about measuring the children for chairs, booster seats and standing frames

Don excited with being able to use the APT easel

Don trying out the small stander with an extended piece of board and

then demonstrating the bicycle inner-tube hand grip to hold a spoon steady

Loveness practising using a standing frame and clapping standing up!

Loveness working on a puzzle while supported in the Paper Furniture Social Enterprise chair that was made for a teaching model

Loveness has done the puzzle!

Hannah (physiotherapist) with McHollen trying out one of the new chairs

Starting work on standing frames for children with cerebral palsy to use in class

Action with a new standing frame emerging

Note the useful tools - a gift from Farnborough Rotary Club

Jane demonstrating and talking about how to cover the bench with

the final layer of paper for a smooth finish

Assistive Cardboard Equipment for Schools

A bench on the way - 13 made now and 5 chairs are on the way

The alphabet chart with printed pictures (under the letters) made and sent as a gift from You2Toys group

Easel testing

Group photo with Sinead before she left

Montford College of Special Needs Education Teacher Training

Sinead and Pete have been teaching Special Needs Teachers,
the basics about helping children with cerebral palsy in the classroom

Trying a chair even though it is too small!

The stool Margaret decorated in use already

The participants have been meeting and working with children with cerebral palsy from

the Resource Units they represent.

The walk to work!

Collecting cardbaord from supermarkets in Blantyre

In-house course- Mombasa

Cardboard waiting for creative people

An In-house course is being run at Cerebral Palsy Foundation Centre, arranged by the Head Teacher, Mrs Shamsa Abdulrehaman. Mr Alfred Ojwang who did the CPA Assistive cardboard Equipment course in Mtwapa last year, works at the Centre and is teaching there.

The other teachers and staff will be able to help the pupils learn new skills and have fun making bowls and other craft items for sale

Marianne West (on the left) visiting the UK workshop and talking about her experiences of living with cerebral palsy. She talked about how important good supportive equipment is at the right time as well as how parents should let children learn and experience life i.e not be over-protective!

Opening of UK Workshop

The Grand Opening was great fun with lots of visitors - over 70 but we lost countSue introducing Archie Hinchcliffe from Cerebral Palsy Africa who had come as guest of honour

to cut the paper bunting 'ribbon'. In her speech she explained that the Paper Furniture is a vital part of Cerebral Palsy Africa's work.

"I want to make it clear that I believe making equipment out of waste paper and cardboard is a pillar of CPA.

Without the opportunity to practise sitting and standing and being supported in good positions so as to be able to learn to use their hands many children with cerebral palsy cannot progress. They can have the best therapy anyone in the world has to offer but without these pieces of equipment they will not learn to put the benefits of the therapy into use to function better. That is why the work of PFSE is fundamental to what we in Cerebral Palsy Africa hope to achieve."