About Us

Kaleidoscope is a non-profit organisation/social enterprise established in Athens in 1995.

Our Aim

Our aim is to promote psychosocial and economic integration of people who are disadvantaged due to ill mental health, learning difficulties, physical or other disabilities.

Activities

• Creation of a network for the exchange of information among organisations, as also among the broader public, e.g. employers, media, families.
• Drawing up of a questionnaire about sheltered work for people with mental health problems or other disabilities; publication of results.
• Research on sheltered accommodation.
• Participation in over 20 wholesale/retail commercial exhibitions: coordination of 30 sheltered work schemes/therapeutic co-operatives; promotion of their products.
• Organisation of conferences with Greek and international health professionals, users of the mental health services, representatives from business enterprises (mostly joint ventures). Topics: supported employment, self-advocacy by users of the mental health services, marketing for social firms, good practices in sheltered accommodation, innovative teaching methods in psychosocial recovery, etc.
• Creation of an Archive at the Haidari Municipal Library: (a) “Video /dvd /cd rom Archive: special educational issues”, (b) “Book Archive: social integration and the rights of vulnerable groups”, (c) “Children’s Book Archive: sensitive social issues”, (d) useful websites.
• Marketing for “Kivotos” social firm, which belongs to the Therapeutic Cooperative Units of “Dromokaiteion” Psychiatric Hospital.
• Art Exhibition with 300 children’s paintings on how they view disability.
• Creation of 5 libraries in psychiatric, sheltered accommodation and mental health centres.
• Promotion of theatrical performances by vulnerable groups.
• Creation of a Carnival costume closet, to be used by mental health units. Publication of our Conference Minutes.
• Publication of Desk Diaries: (a) with works of art by Greek and British artists experiencing mental health problems, (b) with children’s drawings on disability. Research and publication of a Guide Book, regarding accessibility to work and social inclusion for invalid residents (jointly with St. Barbara Municipality).
• Translation/publication of a British workbook for people who hear voices.
• Participation in cultural and sports events, food tasting evenings, bazaars, Greek and international conferences, and other events.
• Articles in scientific magazines.
• Promotion of voluntary work for university students in mental health units.

We believe that with these and other activities we contribute in the areas of psychosocial recovery and vocational rehabilitation. Among other things, we lend a “voice” to the users of the mental health services, increase the income of social firms, create social alliances, promote the works of vulnerable groups, offer job opportunities, educate the broader public to refute stereotypes and to accept everyone’s right to be different.