Rehabilitation Combined with Employment for People with Functional Disabilities
About this good practice
For anyone it is essential to have a sense of social inclusion, using their skills and talents, being part of a society, and having daily interaction with friends and colleagues. Association Wings of Hope was founded in 2003 by a group of parents who had children with disabilities. They were united by the goal to ensure well-being and social support of their children. Gradually, the NGO became a partner of the municipality in supporting socially disadvantaged groups. The NGO is also the founder of social enterprise «Visi Var » (Everybody Can).
The main needs addressed by the initiative include social inclusion, employment, skills development, vocational training, rehabilitation and therapy.
The association Wings of Hope has a contract with Sigulda municipality, which is renewed every three years. The NGO together with social enterprise «Visi Var » operates 5 day care centres providing support for approximately 150 people with disabilities. The daily activities include employment at 11 different workshops organized by enterprise «Visi Var». Most products made at the workshops are sold at a shop which is operated by «Visi Var».
The main stakeholders are in cooperation “triangle” – municipality, NGO, social enterprise. NGO represents the parents, relatives and people at day care centres.
Resources needed
The initiative is funded by the Municipality of Sigulda County through annual transfers. It involves 121 employees of NGOs and social enterprises.
Evidence of success
The service is expanding in Sigulda municipality and this approach is transferred to other municipalities in Latvia. Recently 2 new multifunctional centres for people with disabilities were opened. The service is providing more people with jobs and meaningful life. Other municipalities are inviting Wings of Hope to develop this type of service (day care centres+ employment) for their communities. Families from other municipalities are applying for the service in Sigulda.
Potential for learning or transfer
The transfer is already taking place within Latvia. Other municipalities in Latvia have shown interest and requested the association Wings of Hope and the social enterprise «Visi Var » to develop the same type of service (day care centres which combine rehabilitation and employment opportunities) in their municipalities.
Further information
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Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
