TEB Cooperative Group has launched “I Decide”, a programme to promote inclusive leisure among the clients of its occupational centre.

The project offers accompaniment and individual support beyond the centre’s opening hours to facilitate access to community leisure.

It covers different actions, including accompaniment to sporadic activities in the community (fairs, shows, restaurants…), support to facilitate participation in organized activities (cultural centres, sports…), or training for inclusion in leisure (learn a trip to a facility, get to know the nearby cultural venues…).

The actions are carried out individually or in small groups, according to the preferences of the people.

More than 50 participants

In the programme, active since September, 40 people have already participated, and it is expected to surpass 50 by the end of the year. In total, 667 hours of service will be offered, with special emphasis on those people with more extensive support needs and who usually face more barriers to participation.

So far, “I decide” has carried out activities as diverse as watching a musical show at the Tivoli Theatre, listening to a concert at the Palau Sant Jordi, eating at a Japanese restaurant, experiencing a Barça match at the Camp Nou, or getting to know a “colla gegantera” from within.

The project has the collaboration of La Caixa Foundation, which assumes the salary and expenses of the companions, all of them qualified professionals of TEB’s social staff.

Person-centred services

“I decide” is part of the broad process of transformation of TEB’s occupational centers towards a person-centred model, in which services are adapted to the needs and desires of clients and not the other way around. The process of change, advised and supported by Dincat-Plena Inclusión Federation, aims to improve self-determination, empowerment and the exercise of rights of people with intellectual disabilities.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]