History

The service originated from a meeting set up in 1952, by Mrs Margaret Forrest who had recently given birth to a daughter who had cerebral palsy. She contacted friends and other parents of children with cerebral palsy to discuss setting up a group to give each other day care help. This group became The Association of Parents and Friends of Spastics and Mrs Forrest offered her home to use as the day centre with help being given by parents and friends to run the centre and raise funds.

The service outgrew Margaret Forrest's home and in 1956 the Rotary Clubs of Glasgow, Govan, Kelvin, Queen's Park and Rutherglen got together to raise funds to purchase a house for the Association to mark the Jubilee of Rotary International. In 1958 a suitable property was found at 7 Queen's Crescent, Glasgow, which was presented to the Association.  His Royal Highness Prince Philip is pictured opening the Rotary Day Centre at Queen's Crescent.

The day care service developed over the following years and until 1994 was funded by the Association who raised income from many events, with a significant input still coming from the five originating Rotary Clubs. In 1994 the official attitude towards volunteer carers altered and it became apparent that we needed to become a professionally staffed care service. Funding then came through Social Work and since then many changes have taken place and the service now concentrates in providing residential care for adults in our home at 311 Albert Drive and in two purpose built flats in Shawlands. The original family based approach to providing care and assistance to the residents has however not been lost and everyone in our care is encouraged to consider Forrest House as their own home. Regular meetings take place and all aspects of the service are discussed with and approved by those living there.