ESC: volunteering in the state run school for children with disabilities

Since 1996 “PERSPEKTIVY” charity organisation has been working with children and young people with multiple disabilities, trying to make their life the one that a human being deserves. Two main projects supported by the organisation are “Children Outside the Family” and “The Family Support Programme”. “Children Outside the Family”: Since 1996 we have been working at the State orphanage No. 4 in Pavlovsk, a town just outside Saint Petersburg. We work with children suffering from various developmental disorders living in this orphanage. As all parents know, raising a child requires an individualised approach. If a child is developmentally disabled, an even more individualised approach needs to be found. However, unfortunately, children with disabilities are not given adequate attention or care in the Russian State system. Most of these children are without families, and their existence is confined to a rather bleak environment of a state orphanage. State orphanages are often understaffed and workers have to comply with rigid procedures that do little to encourage growth of their wards. In this programme we try to create a life structure for children with physical and mental disabilities living in the orphanage that is as similar as possible to the life of children living in a family. We try to diversify children’s experiences so that their lives are not drowned in monotony and provide them with meaningful and structured relationships that help to educate them and foster emotional growth. We believe that every child has their own unique potential, and the realisation of this potential is key to a child’s ability to find meaning and a sense of belonging in life. All of our efforts are aimed at helping these children realise their potential and feel like the unique and valued people that they are. The Family Support Programme includes the following projects: “Day care center for children”, “Day care and employment center”, “Guest house” and “School for everyone”. Parents of children with special needs in Russia have to be with their child around the clock almost deprived of the opportunity to work and relax. There are very few nursery schools designed for special children. Special schools started to accept children with special needs only in 2011; however, most children still receive only home-based training and have no access to school spaces specially designed for their development. State social rehabilitation centers often are unable to accept unaccompanied children and adults with disabilities, and if they do, it is often for a short period of time—from several months to six months. Therefore, we decided to create a comprehensive programme that helps families raising disabled children to develop and feel like full-fledged members of our society. It gives parents the opportunity to work and study, to deal with everyday issues and take care of their own health. Moreover, The Family Support Programme helps families of disabled children by encouraging them to keep children at home rather than putting them into care of the state system in the first place. Since the beginning of the pandemic in the spring of 2020, the organisation has launched a new project "Home Forever". At the moment, these are accompanied supporting living flats for children and adults. The main purpose of these projects is to normalise the lives of people with severe multiple disabilities who have been removed from boarding schools and orphanages, and to create an alternative model of living. People living in the flats with supporting 24 hours a day by employees and volunteers of the organisation. The main goal of Perspektivy is to create conditions that enable our wards to live the fullest possible life. We believe that every person is special and valuable to society. that every person has human dignity. We support, assist and protect children and adults with mental disabilities and their families,we create conditions that help them develop their potential. We partner with people and organisations that share our values and pursue the same goals. Together with our staff and volunteers we promote the development of the social support system and acceptance of special people in society.