The Richmond Fellowship started “Chetana”, Day Care Centre with vocational training in September 1997, in a residential community in South Bangalore. Chetana offers a wide range of psychosocial rehabilitation services with the goal of making Clients self-reliant and contributing members of their families and community. Chetana has a professional staff team and experienced vocational instructors and support staff members.
Persons with psychiatric and intellectual disabilities are rehabilitated and taken care of from from 9.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Bus facility is provided for clients. Chetana follows a well-organized schedule for activities of daily living, social skills training, group therapies to enhance participation in activities, sharing responsibilities, peer group as role model for motivation and recovery, individual sessions and family sessions, psycho-education for users and families, family support group, vocational training facilities, leisure-time pursuits and planned recreation.
In order to facilitate reintegration training is offered in training in pre-vocational and vocational skills and job placements. Users are offered training in making paper files / paper cups / greeting cards / paper covers, tailoring, embroidery, hand block printing, handicraft work, book binding, screen printing, & providing training in basic skills in computers.
Clients are given a fifteen days trial period before they are formally admitted to the centre. The duration of stay at the centre is flexible, and based on the needs of the client.
Chetana offers long-term support and is also a sheltered workshop for users with persisting disabilities who are unable to get job placements outside.
Contact:
40-1/4, 6th Cross, Vajpeyam Gardens, Ashoknagar, Banashankari I Stage, Bangalore-560050
Tel: 080-26676134 / 26672983
Email: rfschetana@gmail.com
Success Story
From being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder to becoming an electronic chip assembler
Mr. K., 22 years old unmarried male, educated upto I PUC was referred to Chetana with a diagnosis of Bipolar Affective disorder of eight years duration. Initially he had poor concentration, was noticed to be staring at females inappropriately, had nicotine dependency and used to dress up in a flamboyant manner, which was inappropriate considering that he was attending a rehab centre. In addition, he was very obstinate and had poor interaction with others.
Individual interventions over a span of five and a half months at the day care centre included sessions that aimed at activity scheduling, improving his social interaction, gaining self-confidence and motivation enhancement. He was placed in the plastic molding, computer and printing units as per his interest. With medication compliance ensured by the family and consistent support from the therapist and the Vocational Instructors, Mr. K gradually showed noticeable improvement in various areas, notably in his appearance (dressing manner), interaction skills and concentration in the work allotted to him. In a few weeks’ time, he took on the role of a valuable contributor in the file making job and was a very a neat and methodical worker. The family was regularly apprised of his progress.
The client expressed a desire to take up a job when he was quite functional. Therefore, the staff at Chetana referred him to Nithya Saadhana, an organization where clients are trained in electronic chip assembling and then placed in factories. The family was involved in the decision making and very soon he was admitted there. He was trained for about 6 months and as he was a quick learner, he was offered a job at the end of six months. Mr. K reported that he was able to manage simple tasks well in his new job and he continues to be in touch with the staff at Chetana and visits the centre as and when possible.