Pologne

Convent of the Hospitaller Brothers of Zebrzydowice

St. Hospitallers in Zebrzydowice has been takeing care of disabled people since 1982. The current activities in Zebrzydowice, including tasks carried out for disabled people such as running a Social Welfare Home and an Occupational Therapy Workshop.The Social Welfare Home is a facility intended for 67 men with chronic mental illnesses, it provides basic living, care and support services. The main goal of the Social Welfare Home in Zebrzydowice is to provide comprehensive, 24-hour care to its residents.Since April 1st, 2014, the convention has been implementing multi-year projects. These are activities aimed at residents of Social Welfare Home as part of increasing the independence of disabled people. These projects are aimed at stimulating interest in the surrounding reality, increasing the self-reliance, independence and self-esteem of the residents by improving everyday living skills, developing their talents, self-activity, social competences and general physical fitness.

The first international meeting of this ambitious project was held in Madrid, marking the launch of an initiative to enhance the skills of national educators and social welfare professionals. The main objective is to support the integration of Ukrainian refugees, with a particular focus on women and children, using non-formal teaching and education methods. The project will result in the creation of a multilingual training course, accessible in all the partner countries. It brings together centres in Spain (main coordinator), Portugal, Italy, Austria and Poland. This international collaboration promises to produce concrete results to promote inclusion and education.

Contact : Natalia GEBKA n.gebka@bonifundo.pl

Erasmus+: Protecting Ukrainians through non-formal education

An Occupational Therapy Workshop has been operating since 1993. 35 disabled people from the local area benefit from its daily activities. Daily classes take place from Monday to Friday and are carried out in six workshops: carpentry, art and ceramics, multimedia, household, toys and tailoring.The activities of Occupational Therapy Workshop include comprehensive vocational, social and therapeutic rehabilitation, the aim of which is to prepare participants to function as independently as possible in society and take up professional work. Participants' works receive many awards and distinctions at exhibitions, competitions and art reviews. A small gallery of the participants' works at the Occupational Therapy Workshop premises attracts many visitors. This naturally contributes to integration with the environment and the accessibility of this place to outsiders.

Contact : Anna Manżuk dps.zebrzydowice@bonifratrzy.pl

Occupational therapy workshop: Creation, rehabilitation and inclusion

BFD has participated in several Erasmus+ projects:

• DESKTOP: development of a multimedia mobile application on the ‘Mefacilyta’ platform to promote independent learning for people with disabilities and creation of a manual for educators.
• Lumières sur les droits: raising awareness of active citizenship for people with intellectual disabilities and international legislation on their rights.
• Ideas against poverty! : combating social exclusion and poverty among people with intellectual disabilities.
• REVIVAL: creation of innovative teaching materials for drama courses adapted for adult learners with disabilities.

BFD also runs national projects, including an annual open-air integration event in June for 300 disabled people.

Contact : Natalia GEBKA n.gebka@bonifundo.pl

BFD: Commitment to inclusion and learning

The Occupational Therapy Workshop in Prudnik is a day facility for 50 adults with moderate and severe disabilities. Ten workshops are available to participants - catering, computer and printing, art, care and nursing, carpentry, ceramics, weaving and sewing, gardening, audiomusic and theater.We organize the Festival of Joy. The main goal is to integrate musically gifted people with disabilities, sensitize them to art and awaken passion and willingness to act in the artistic field.

Contact : Anna Szewczyk aszewczyk867@gmail.com

Occupational Therapy Workshop

"Bonifraterska Fundacja Dobroczynna"St John of God Charitable Foundation

The Konary centre, run by the Bonifraterska Fundacja Dobroczynna (BFD), operates in disadvantaged rural areas in five municipalities, offering support to disabled people and other vulnerable groups with limited access to cultural life. It includes a self-improvement house, an occupational therapy workshop, a social support house and a vocational activities department. The centre cares for more than 180 people with disabilities or mental disorders, thanks to the commitment of around 120 professionals providing daily or permanent care.

Occupational Therapy Workshop

The Saint Jana Boże Home in Prudnik accommodates 30 residents aged between 50 and 94, with an average age of over 80. A large proportion of the residents have moderate intellectual impairments and mobility problems. Around 13% use a wheelchair, and contact with family is limited for half of them.Residents' needs are mainly related to severe or moderate disabilities, as well as illnesses such as epilepsy and sensory loss (hearing, speech, vision). Admission to a retirement home often depends on family circumstances. Some families are unable to provide care for practical reasons, while others could do so with the right support. The home offers a secure and warm environment, similar to a family home, with qualified staff who help to maintain residents' independence as much as possible.