A szervezet leírása

The Non For Profit social cooperative Social Cooperative Activities for Vulnerable Groups – EDRA is established in Peristeri, in western part of Attica, since 2001 and operates in the field of mental health, providing community-services aiming at the prevention, promotion and rehabilitation/social integration for people with mental health problems, as well as at the awareness of the community over mental health problems and, generally, disadvantaged individuals being at risk of social exclusion. EDRA is certified with ISO 9001, registered at the National Registry of the Non for Profit Private Bodies that provide Social Services as well as the Special Registry of the Volunteer Non for Profit Organizations. Also, it is under the auspice and the ongoing supervision of the Ministry of Health and Social Services (Department of Mental Health) in the National Action Framework for the Reform of the provision of Mental Health Services.
Under the funding of the Greek State (Programme “Psychargos” for the Reform of mental health services), EDRA has developed two rehabilitation houses for 25 residents (mental health service users) who lived in public psychiatric institutions. The houses provide an alternative environment to support the psychosocial rehabilitation of these adults with intellectual disabilities and secondary psychological problems. Their objectives consist in the social and psychological rehabilitation, development of their social skills, social and economical integration, and generally, in the provision of a therapeutic environment. In order to achieve its goals, EDRA has introduced a variety of activities and tools, such as social and psychological support, education and development of social and employment skills, and, various other therapeutic procedures.
At the same time, EDRA has developed the open Centre “Diadromi” for alternative therapeutic activities, for people living in the community and/or in rehabilitation units. The programme includes a productive workshop where the members (center-users) contribute in the production of hand-made items, jewelry, ecc, and are offered a variety of therapeutic activities, psychological support groups, music therapy, art therapy, psychodrama, and other educational programmes.
Moreover, EDRA is operating a Supported Living Home, which hosts four (4) people facing moderate to heavy mental retardation and/or autism or syndrome Down. This home is based on the principles of Community psychiatry, de-institutionalization, semi autonomous living, and psychosocial rehabilitation. Also, EDRA is operating two (2) supported apartments for independent living, which provide alternative housing in the context of psychosocial rehabilitation programme, offering to their tenants minor support of a multidisciplinary group of therapists/mental health professionals.
Furthermore, EDRA has developed a wide network of services for children (and their families) with learning disabilities. Under the supervision of EDRA, there are, up to this moment, twelve (12) psycho-educational/pedagogic centers in different areas of Attica, that offer special education therapies, like speech therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, special education programmes. These centers operate with the support of the local authorities where they are located. Since 2008, there is the “Children Cultural Club - Expression”, that aims at providing children with contact with various forms of art and, in general, awareness over social or environmental issues.
EDRA organizes different events and actions for the promotion, prevention and awareness of the local community around Mental Health and discrimination. These actions include training projects, internships for University and college students, Conferences, researches and presentations. It is worth mentioning the “ART for MORE” festival, which is a unique and innovative initiative focusing at the connection of art and mental health.
For disadvantaged groups of people being at risk of poverty, EDRA provides a network of social services: Social market, Intermediation Office, Time Bank, Food Distribution unit.
Since the beginning, EDRA counts and evaluate volunteering as a mean of solidarity, mean of expression of active citizenship, as well as mean for personal development. In EDRA can volunteer people (locals and foreigners) either connected to mental health professionals or/and people with pure motivation to offer to the community out of solidarity and active citizenship.
EDRA, as a dynamic and highly active organization, is interested in networking. Apart from the established partnerships with local stakeholders and other organizations (e.g. local authorities, local organizations), EDRA has also become member of different networks, such as: a) Praxis–the Hellenic network of productive workshops, b) Argos-Network of mental-health rehabilitation units, c) informal network of Greek organizations active in the EVS programme.