Daily Schedule
The institute functions Monday to Friday from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm.
The day’s schedule is as follows:
- Prayer
- Job work
- Fruit Break
- Job work continues + individual training
- Physical exercises
- Lunch Break
- Training &Stimulation activities/making of products/job work
Work
Receiving and successfully completing job work contracts is the core task of the institute. It comprises getting the raw material from the supplier and returning the finished product at a pre-determined price. Making and selling of products at exhibitions and sales is the ancillary activity. The members, who come every day from 9.30 am to 4.00p.m, well groomed and clean, perceive themselves as office going individuals. They are trained to complete industrial job work efficiently and effectively.
Job work contracts undertaken by the Anchorage are:
1. Assembling switches for P. M. CONA Industries
2. Paper folding for Mahavir Industries
3. Packing of hair accessories for Vilayati Manufacturing Company
4. Air line Tags- putting eyelets and stringing for Freeda Enterprises
5. Stringing and folding of Banners for Juzer Box Manufacturing Company
6. Garment labels for Blue Line Offset Printers
7. Supplying paper bags to Yazdani Restaurant & Bakery
8. Supplying Paper bags for Mandvi Medical stores and Nirav Medical
Work Ethic
Stringent quality control standards are adhered to and we now have a list of very satisfied clients ensuring a regular monthly stipend for all.
The Environment
Vibrant and caring with music & breeze flowing through the premise. Above everything there is a strong adult-staff relationship which makes all the difference. The institute is clean, hygienic and well maintained. Posters, wall hangings and paintings done by members adorn the walls making the space colorful, attractive and inviting.
Training & Stimulation
Apart from job work contracts as a core activity, what makes The Anchorage distinctive is the integration of an ongoing training and stimulation programme into the schedule. In a lifelong facility like ours, it provides an opportunity for building functional skills and dealing with issues of daily living, grooming and hygiene.
The choice of programme is based on need and availability of a facilitator. In this respect, we have been very fortunate with our range of volunteers.
Our programme currently covers:
Life Skills Education: This consists of a weekly session as well as ongoing supervision and training by staff in charge of the particular member. It includes personal hygiene, grooming and social skills.
Educational Games: One afternoon in a week is devoted to educational games and puzzles, which are done in small groups of five to eight members. These sessions are handled by our volunteer Mrs Archana Khaitan.
Yoga: One morning a week is devoted to yoga. The aim is to increase their concentration and to make them do physical movement so that their bodies remain flexible.
Physical exercise: Daily 20 minutes before Lunch is devoted to physical exercise.
Arts and Craft Once a week is devoted to art i.e painting & colouring. Sometimes it is structured and sometimes we just give them a free hand to play with colours in their own way. This is therapeutic and nurtures talent.
Policies
Admission: All differently-abled adults (Down’s Syndrome, Fragile X, Autism,Cerebral Palsy, Brain Damage and Birth Trauma) over 18 years are eligible for admission. The only pre-conditions for admission are that he/she is toilet-trained and that a parent or sibling is willing to volunteer at least half a day a week at the centre.
Confirmation: All new admissions have a trial period of eight weeks, which includes orientation and training. In rare cases, if the new member cannot adjust to the centre’s activities, after every effort has been made, he or she may be asked to discontinue. However, once confirmed, it is lifelong membership. Home-support services are also provided in the form of sending job work home in case members are unable to attend for health reasons
Exit Policy: This is extremely rare and is always done in consultation with the parents, for members that have become very irregular with attendance, or if an extreme behavioral problem has developed. A prior option would be to offer part-time membership and counselling support for the whole family.
Remuneration: Money earned through job work and sale of products at exhibitions is distributed equally among members as stipend at the end of the month. Part time members are paid half the amount, and stipend is deducted on a pro-rata basis when a member is absent for more than two days in a month. This is explained to the members and used as a motivational tool.
Holidays: The Anchorage is closed for one month in May, two weeks around Diwali, and one week around Christmas. In addition, there are ten bank holidays per year.