No progress regarding sheltered accommodation for those with special needs
special needs
02 Feb 2022
/ 12:29
CORFU. At the moment there is no welfare provision for children with special needs who don΄t know what will happen when they lose their parents.
The creation of sheltered accommodation in Corfu for those with special was promised in the past but has never got any further.
Despite the recent interest shown by the local authority, there is still no welfare provision for children with special needs who don΄t know what will happen when they lose their parents.
What has happened so far
In July 2020, an invitation was published by the Ionian Islands Regional Administration for proposals to be put to ESPA in order to receive funding for the creation of sheltered accommodation in the Ionian Islands for those with special needs. At that time the Corfu Association of Parents, Guardians and Friends of those with Special Needs tried to find a suitable property but the increase in airbnb rents put a halt to this.
The Association then spoke with Central Corfu Municipality and, according the Association's President Spyros Zouboulidis, they were given assurances that a property belonging to the Brotherhood would be used as sheltered accommodation in Corfu. This got no further, however, precious time was lost and the deadline for submitting proposals for funding to ESPA passed.
Resubmission
The Association is now requesting for the resubmission of proposals to ESPA for funding for the sheltered accommodation for those with special needs, which is a major welfare requirement. Mr. Zouboulidis also put the matter to the President of DEEP (Corfu branch of ND) Spyros Pantelios during a recent visit to the Melissa facility.
Mr. Zouboulidis told Enimerosi that once the sheltered accommodation is in operation, it will be able to accommodate three people with special needs, who will live there permanently, and support will be provided by nurses and social workers. The Association is preparing a funding proposal for ESPA to cover these needs.
"The creation of the sheltered accommodation is a basic right for these children and we will continue with our efforts to set up other such facilities," he said. "However, none of the local authorities are interested."
Melissa Day Care Centre (KDHF)
30 people with special needs, aged 25-60, attend the Melissa Day Care Centre every day and take part in special activities for psychosocial and vocational development. They supply 40 cafes and three supermarkets in Corfu with biscuits they make and receive the income from sales.
Despite the recent interest shown by the local authority, there is still no welfare provision for children with special needs who don΄t know what will happen when they lose their parents.
What has happened so far
In July 2020, an invitation was published by the Ionian Islands Regional Administration for proposals to be put to ESPA in order to receive funding for the creation of sheltered accommodation in the Ionian Islands for those with special needs. At that time the Corfu Association of Parents, Guardians and Friends of those with Special Needs tried to find a suitable property but the increase in airbnb rents put a halt to this.
The Association then spoke with Central Corfu Municipality and, according the Association's President Spyros Zouboulidis, they were given assurances that a property belonging to the Brotherhood would be used as sheltered accommodation in Corfu. This got no further, however, precious time was lost and the deadline for submitting proposals for funding to ESPA passed.
Resubmission
The Association is now requesting for the resubmission of proposals to ESPA for funding for the sheltered accommodation for those with special needs, which is a major welfare requirement. Mr. Zouboulidis also put the matter to the President of DEEP (Corfu branch of ND) Spyros Pantelios during a recent visit to the Melissa facility.
Mr. Zouboulidis told Enimerosi that once the sheltered accommodation is in operation, it will be able to accommodate three people with special needs, who will live there permanently, and support will be provided by nurses and social workers. The Association is preparing a funding proposal for ESPA to cover these needs.
"The creation of the sheltered accommodation is a basic right for these children and we will continue with our efforts to set up other such facilities," he said. "However, none of the local authorities are interested."
Melissa Day Care Centre (KDHF)
30 people with special needs, aged 25-60, attend the Melissa Day Care Centre every day and take part in special activities for psychosocial and vocational development. They supply 40 cafes and three supermarkets in Corfu with biscuits they make and receive the income from sales.
