Description
Petagma is a grass-roots NGO that was established out of the need to provide shelter and support to people with developmental disabilities. The main aim of the project is to create a human Social Network around persons with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disability in order to enrich their lives. This human network consists of family members, friends, neighbors and acquaintances who are invested in the well being and safety of one person with IDD. In other words, each disabled individual has a human network around him/her for lifelong support and social interaction. The practice of human Social Networks will be transferred to the project promoter and the project partner by British experts visiting Greece, but the trainings and seminars will be open to other NGOs that are active in the same thematic areas. The activities of the project include staff training, creation of educational materials, the improvement of services provided and the diffusion of good practices to other organizations in the field of disability.
Summary of project results
Persons with disabilities who live in supported accommodation settings are at risk of being socially excluded from mainstream life. The project's objective was to offer a solution to this problem and to widen the opportunities of persons with disabilities to live a rich and meaningful life. Eight (8) Social Networks have been created, organized and still running, one for each person with Intellectual and/ or Developmental Disability, who lives in a Supported Living Housing Center of “Petagma” Parents’ Association. A supporting circle of friends was created around each person in order to make his life better and with greater quality. Human relationships are very important and helpful, since they offer sentimental security and broaden people’s horizons by creating new possibilities and giving chances for something new/ different to happen. Flyers with information about the program were written and published for the volunteers and for the public also. In addition a Manual of Creating and Maintaining Natural Social Networks around persons with Intellectual and/ or Developmental Disability was published, which is attended mostly to the staff of NGOs and similar organizations in the field of disability. Besides these, a training was held to members of the staff working at the organizations- members of the Hellenic Association of Organizations supporting disabled Individuals – Mentally Handicapped “MELEDONI”. During the program, guidance and advisory were offered by British experts, especially Mr. Bob Rhodes, who visited Greece 4 times. Moreover a short film was made to present the program, which was post in the social media. The last few months parents of persons with disabilities and organizations in the field of disability approached “Petagma” and “MELEDONI” asking for additional information, our cooperation and our help in developing similar projects. The project has surpassed its ambitions. More than 100 persons, volunteers and staff members. 8 persons with intellectual disabilities improved significantly the level of their social interaction . The number of family members who were indirect beneficiaries was 80 persons. 112 people attended the final conference disseminating the project results and more than 1750 unique visitors attended our actions through our website and social media.
Summary of bilateral results