ESC: Broaden Your Perspectives

"New perspectives" is a non-profit organisation which works with young people and adults with multiple disabilities (physical and mental) in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was founded in 2010 by another non-profit organisation "Perspektivy". Our main field of activity is supporting the residents of the boarding house for people with all kinds of disabilities (a special state-run institution in Russia where people with physical and mental disabilities aged 18 and older live) in Peterhof (a suburb of Saint Petersburg) and supported living for young people and adults with multiple disabilities. Lately, "New perspectives" has launched two new projects. First, the project of supported living in Razdolye (in cooperation with the local orthodox church community) - a village house where people with multiple disabilities live with support and assistance of specialists and volunteers. And second, training apartment where residents of Peterhof boarding house (young people with physical and mental disabilities) train their self-service skills and learn how to live independently (cooking, shopping, paying bills, making month budget, cleaning). In both projects volunteers will work along with specialists and coordinators. These projects are very important at local and national levels - Russian Federation hasn't got governmentally regulated system of supported living for people with special needs. These projects give opportunity for such people to have decent lives and to live independently. Volunteer mobility includes activities with young people and adults (up to 40 years old) with physical and mental disabilities in boarding house and apartments and supported living project in Razdolye. "New perspectives" along with the main activities is carrying out educational programs, aimed at sharing experience with others (specialists, volunteers, parents of children with disabilities), fundraising activities, legal and informational support of people with disabilities and their families.