CMSS - Skills Development Centre For People with Disabilities
History
CMSS is an independent Charity based in Wiltshire Lane, Northwood Hills. It was founded in 1952 for people with Cerebral Palsy. The Society was founded by the parents of the first clients, who realised that after leaving school their children had nowhere to go.
It started life as a light engineering workshop; for firms within London and surrounding areas. The type of work was packing, making parts for various items including chair legs, car lights and pepper grinders. The councils, who funded the clients over the years, wanted a more academic service in line with the national strategy for people with disability and wanted to integrate clients into the community.
CMSS addressed this by conducting an independent audit of its service. The outcome was that clients wanted to improve their skills and broaden their opportunities. This was first done by finding out what Clients needed. Some needed domestic training because they were having to move into homes of their own as parents were getting older. The other reason was that they wanted independence.
It was found there were still clients that wanted the Centre to stay the same as it had always been and did not want change. The reason the changes were pushed forward was that Councils supported these changes and wished that their clients were working and living in the community.
Social changes in the 1980s and 90s made the government realise that a big minority of five million disabled people was not being catered for in terms of transport and employment.
We now run 5 community based projects in the boroughs of Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent, which have a very strong emphasis on education, social and employment opportunities, CMSS also runs approx 8 holidays a year both in the UK and abroad. We also provide monthly socials where our clients can get dressed up and go out to places such as disco's, theatre, meals in good restaurants, comedy clubs, the list is endless.
Since the 1990s clients have had the right to be members of the executive committee. This means they can be part of the planning and running of the Centre and help decide the improvements to conditions which could improve the lives of their peers. We currently have two members of the executive comittee who are also clients.
CMSS Latest News
NEWS****** ******FLASH
*CMSS*
*Diamond*
*Jubilee*
*60 Years*
*29th September*
*2012*
This year at CMSS is a very special, exciting and a fun packed year for us as we will be celebrating our Diamond Jubilee.
Throughout the year, we will be having lots of different events to celebrate this special year.
Events for the year:
1st June: Evening disco and buffet
29th June: 'The In Between Years' performance by Clients of CMSS at the Compass Theatre
2nd July: 'The In Between Years' performance by Clients of CMSS at the Compass Theatre
6th July: A day trip to the sea side
10th August: Picnic in the grounds
12th September: Carers outing to Buckingham Palace
29th September: **GALA DAY**
24th November: Christmas Bazaar; 'Launch of 'The In Between Years' History Book'
14th December: Christmas Lunch
*Gala Day*
29th September 2012
2pm-6pm
Please come and join us to celebrate this special day of the year. The day will be packed full of fun; Barbeque, Bar, Coconut Shy, Raffles, Bottle tombola, refreshments, beat the goalie and plenty more...
If you are able to volunteer, support, double fund or donate any items for the forthcoming events, please email Naheed Judge on naheedjudge@hotmail.com or Leana Hughes on lealea300@hotmail.co.uk.
*Holidays*
Butlins Bognor regis: 30th March - 2nd April and then again 13th-16th April
Center Parcs Elveden: 18th- 21st May
Alton towers: 28th May- 1st June
Gladwins Farm: 15th-22nd June
Potters resort: 13th-17th August and then again 24th-28th August
Centre Parcs: 7th-10th September
*Socials*
Filming of ' Family fortunes' : 6th feb
Valentines disco- 14th feb
x factor concert: 3rd March
quiz night -9th march
Jubilee disco event- 1st june
Performance at compass theatre: 29th june and 2nd July
whole centre day trip: 6th july
Picnic afternoon~: 10th August
carers trip to buckingham palace: 12th sept
gala day: 29th sept
bingo night: 19th oct
xmas bazaar: 24th nov
christmas lunch: 14th dec
*Can YOU Help?*
Have you been attending CMSS for 50 years? Has your family been involved with CMSS for many years? We are currently in the process of publishing a book about the history of CMSS and we need any old newspaper cuttings, photographs, letters, or anyting related to the history of CMSS. Please could you forward these to Betty Morris and we will photocopy them with your permission, and give the originals back to you.