ESC: Steinbeis ESC 21.01

Explanation of the Organization: Schwarzwaldwerkstatt GmbH is an institution operated by the city Freudenstadt and the organizations Lebenshilfen Freudenstadt und Horb/Sulz. It cares for mentally and physically disabled people, and people with mental illness. It operates a workshop with 230 places for mentally disabled people and 30 places in the special needs day care centre. There is also a branch workshop with 90 places for people with mental illness. The living areas include: one residential home (the main home), three residential groups (living in homes away from the main area) and other possibilities for assisted living. There are a total of 104 living spaces. Purpose of the Organization: The Schwarzwaldwerkstatt is a non-profit organization. People with various disabilities live and work there. It provides them with the possibility for service and integration (to feel included in society). It helps people with serious disabilities that can’t work and/or apply for a job on the classic job market. Workshops like the Schwarzwaldwerkstatt are institutions for job re-training. The purpose of the workshop is to help people with disabilities expand and repair their individual skills. It also offers continuous inspiration for workers and residents. There are two end-results. Firstly, the workers can offer low level work that is economically useable. The second result is that people can find jobs on the classic job market outside of the workshop. In the right conditions, people with disabilities can find a job in the normal job market. The workshop escorts, encourages and supports people between the ages of 18 and 65. There are different areas in the organization for education, work and special care. Forms of Work-Training: The Schwarzwaldwerkstatt GmbH is certified to offer education. We offer low and high levels of work-training for people with disabilities. The work training is scheduled (the workers have a daily/hourly plan). The work-training department at Schwarzwaldwerkstatt currently has 50 places for workers at two different areas. Working Area: In the working area, the workshop offers disabled-friendly, long-term jobs. There are 18 different job possibilities. Outside of the Schwarzwaldwerkstatt, they also offer jobs in a hospital, an old-age home and different companies. In total, there are 270 spaces for people in the working area of the main workshop (for people with mental and/or physical disabilities) and in our branch workshop (for people who have a mental illness). In a neighbouring branch workshop the organisation offers 80 places for mentally disordered and addicted people. In 6 workgroups and a department of work-training this branch workshop offers programmes for participation in working life.Special Needs Day Care Centre: Some people cannot yet work with a group in the production area. This is because of their serious mental and/or physical disability. We individually guide, help, and care for these people at the special needs day care centre. The special needs day care centre has space for 30 disabled people. Our Housing: We also offer many housing possibilities for people with mental and physical disabilities. People use this housing to be independent in their living environment. Also, people who cannot care for themselves or who cannot get care at home use this housing. Assisted-Living Residence: The assisted-living residence is our residential home with 49 places. It is directly in Dornstetten. Many people live in the assisted-living residence and work in our main workshop for mentally and/or physically disabled people. People who live in our residence need constant and close supervision, support and nursing care. During the night there is also trained staff available for the residents.External Residential Groups: We also offer smaller living units. These homes are located in different areas of Freudenstadt county. In total, we have 3 external residential groups with 8-9 places each. External Care-Based Assisted Living: We also offer external care-based assisted living for people with disabilities. This is outside of the main living area. We have two different possibilities: -Assisted living for single people or pairs with professional supervision. -Assisted living as a family in the home of a host family. The people in this arrangement live completely independent. A trained assistant accompanies them to one or more weekly appointments. Examples of the support we offer: doctor visits, shopping trips or visits to government offices, help with money or solving personal problems. The different living options will help disabled people to find the right type of home. The purpose is to encourage and care for people. We offer individual help at an appropriate level. Our supportive programme follows the saying, “As little as possible, but as much as necessary”. We want to offer each person the most independence in their lifestyle.