SOCIAL COOPERATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS-EDRA

Social Cooperative Activities for Vulnerable Groups – “EDRA” is a Non Governmental Organization established in Peristeri, in the western part of Attica / Athens, since 2001. The organization “EDRA” is operating in the field of Mental Health and provides services, in the community, to people with mental health problems. “EDRA” has developed a variety of community programmes and structures aiming at supporting the quality of life and the rehabilitation / integration process of disadvantaged individuals being at risk of social exclusion as well as programmes for the prevention and the sensitization of the community around mental health problems and the promotion of mental health in general. More specifically, under the funding, originally of the E.U, and now of the Greek Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, “EDRA” has developed two rehabilitation units for the deinstitutionalisation of mental-health service users who lived for years in public psychiatric institutions. Its objectives consist in the social and psychological rehabilitation, development of their social skills, social and economical integration, and in generally in the provision of a therapeutic environment. EDRA is operating also an open structure for people with mental health problems offering alternative therapies. “EDRA” has developed also a network of services for children (and their families) who face learning disabilities. Up to this moment, under the supervision of “EDRA”, there are 11 psycho-educational centres in different areas. Since September 2011, “EDRA” is operating a Supported Shelter which hosts four (4) people facing moderate to heavy mental retardation and /or autism or syndrome Down. Moreover, “EDRA” is operating two supported houses since July 2012, which consist alternative living structures in the frame of psychosocial rehabilitation and are hosting 4 people with minor support of mental health professionals. At the same time, “EDRA” is organizing different events and actions for the prevention and sensitization of the local community around health, mental health problems and discrimination. These actions include education training projects, internships for University and college students, Conference organisations, Researches and presentations. As far as Youth in Action Programme is concerned, “EDRA” is operating since 2005, as sending, host and co-ordinator organization in the context of Youth in Action / former Youth Programme.