The charitable Society of parents, guardians and friends of people with mental disabilities “The Ergastiri” was established in 1978 by parents whose children suffer from mental retardation. In 1984 the Society established “The Ergastiri - Lilian Voudouri” centre to provide services, support, case, sheltered workshops, social integration and future semi-autonomous living for the mentally retarded people who participate in the centre “The Ergastiri” sheltered workshops include bakery, department, catering, laundry, pottery, weaving, carpet making, icons and seasonal gifts, creative activity, batik printings on cloth, gardening and day-centre.

 

A wider range of services offered by special scientific staff include: psychological support, individual and group counseling, physical exercise for “special needs” people, work therapy, consciousness raising activities, occupational training and integration of those few who are capable in the free labor market. Learning basic skills in computer use through interactivity offered by new technologies achieved the development of new motor and cognitive skills. The majority keep on working in the sheltered workshops. There is an additional programme of support. There is an additional programme of support “The Recreation Club” which offers music lessons, choir lessons, theatrical games, attending theatrical performances, dance lessons, excursions, training in traffic behavior and social skills. Three (3) Supportive Way of Living Homes are already functioning and offer accommodation to 27 of our mentally retarded individuals. We have tried hard to create an environment meeting the human needs of the individual.
 

 

In the “Ergastiri” we operate a Dental Laboratory of Social and Preventive Dentistry of the Dental School of the Athens University. The new goal of the Society is the fulfillment of the pioneering programme of building houses for sheltered way of living for our mentally retarded people. In addition the “Ergastiri” centre organizes social activities the most important of which is the “Fair of Love”. It also materializes, through EKEPIS, European initiatives and programmes and organizes conventions and meetings.