picture that usually springs to mind is of a secluded area in Warwick especially equipped for the enjoyment of the physically and mentally challenged -- an area with special trails, a petting zoo, and a riding ring.

But there is much more to this by-appointment only facility which was founded by Bermudian Mr. Alexander J. (Sandy) Mitchell a few years ago, and is based on his successful WindReach Farm in Canada.

In keeping with its stated mission "to provide recreational, education and work experience opportunities for Bermudians of all ages with special needs'', WRV has succeeded so well in developing the recreational aspect of its mission that this has now become a separate programme under the direction of activities director Ms Ann Lindroth.

Now WRV is turning its attention to developing the work experience aspect, and to that end has appointed Mrs. Hilary Soares as the programme's co-ordinator.

"Our outreach is to integrate special needs people into the greater community at this facility, and we are very fortunate to have Mrs. Soares, who is full of bright ideas, on board,'' WRV executive director Mrs. Marian Sherratt states.

Emphasising that the work experience programme is a "facility provider'', meaning it aims to help special needs people to develop viable skills, and is not a "caregiver service'', Mrs. Soares says: "It is not play, and it is not making work (to keep someone occupied). Rather, it is for people who want to improve, and actually be given something that has bona fide purpose to it.

"Self-esteem is the key -- to learn and be productive and master any skill.'' The work experience programme is divided into two parts, each catering to separate needs.

Under the internship aspect, participants will undergo a year or more's training in a specific job, at the end of which hopefully they will be proficient enough to seek employment in the community, should that be their wish.

"The specific jobs are grouped into categories -- i.e. domestic and housekeeping; gardening; painting and maintenance, basic animal care at the petting zoo, such as mucking out the stables, feeding the animals, taking good care of them and looking after their needs; and other jobs as they evolve,'' Mrs. Soares explains.

During training the interns will be given very simple but very specific instructions, and working alongside them will be job guides, who will teach them what to do, and ensure that they are learning correctly.

"We expect the interns to be very committed to the job they have, and to work very hard at it, so that if they do go out into the community to get another job they will perform very well indeed, and we will be able to provide a reference,'' Mrs. Soares says.

"The intern programme and other elements of the work experience are really work,'' Mrs. Sherratt adds. "We have almost four acres of property here, and there is always a job to be done, whether it is raking leaves, edging a border with flowers, or something else. So the work experience plays a tremendous role in supporting the entire mission of WRV.'' Citing the example of a work experience individual at WindReach Farm in Canada who, having been taught to shovel snow from pathways, went on to operate his own business doing just that, Mrs. Sherratt said similar goals are anticipated for interns in the local programme.

"For example, we have lots of windows at WindReach, and if someone learns how to clean them, I am sure plenty of housewives would welcome the service,'' the executive director suggested.

To ensure that the aims of the programme are understood by families of special needs participants and not viewed as a glorified caretaker service, interns who normally have a caregiver with them in daily life must also have that person with them during training. In addition, interns and a family member will have to sign a "contract'' in advance of the participant beginning their training, and certain other rules and conditions will apply.

The second aspect of the new programme will cater to people who, because of their particular and unique special needs, may not be able to function as well as the interns, but who would like to attend WindReach Recreational Village and be willing to join in.

"They will begin where the interns leave off, so to speak, and will include people who can do nothing at all except observe, so there is a very wide range of ability,'' Mrs. Soares explains.

Again, certain conditions will apply.

"For these individuals, the length of the visit must be stated in writing for the benefit and comfort of the work experience participation in case that person does not have the stamina to spend, say, longer than an hour here,'' Mrs. Soares explains.

Indeed, in both categories of the new programme, attention will be paid to ensuring that all participants are there because they want to be there, and not because someone else thinks they should be there.

"We will be paying very careful attention to that because we don't want people left here for care. That is not what we are about,'' Mrs. Soares warns.

In outlining some of the jobs which the more deeply affected special needs people can be given, such as assisting and observing the animals, taking care of the petting zoo, offering companionship to the animals, and assisting or observing the animals in the main ring, Mrs. Soares explains says that "the main reason for all of these needs is the stimulation of individuals and the promotion of their participation in life generally''.

"If we can make any improvement in their awareness, then maybe we can take them to another step of activity,'' Mrs. Sherratt adds. "The programme is not rehabilitation as much as it is an ongoing improvement of skills.'' WRV is appealing to all families with a special needs member to contact Mrs.

Soares and make an appointment to tour the facility and see just what is available.

"It would be wonderful if the special needs individual could have a different sort of life,'' Mrs. Soares says. "Everybody has value and a role to play, and we want to enforce that in the community. As a community, it is our responsibility to make sure that they are comfortable regardless of their limitations.'' The work programme co-ordinator also notes that seniors are welcome at WRV, where they can use such facilities as the sensory trail, and a special sheltered area on which to walk on the flat. The Activities Centre itself has an elevator, and plenty of space for teas, arts and craft lessons, and more.

Of course, the key to the success of the work experience and all other WRV activities is volunteers, which both Mrs. Sherratt and Mrs. Soares admit are in desperately short supply.

In making an urgent appeal for more volunteers, Mrs. Sherratt says: "We ask each individual to give according to their ability. That is what volunteering is about -- putting the individual into the niche where they are really comfortable, and where they get an intrinsic sense that what they are doing is important.'' Photos by David Skinner Busy Hands: WindReach Recreation Village's new work experience programme will teach participants a variety of skills such as are being carried out here by clients from the Opportunity Workshop. While Diana Furtado (top) grooms Eyore the donkey, David Cabral (lower left) spruces up the goats' domain, and (lower right) Troy Bean and Rodger Hill get down to business in the Petting Zoo yard.