III Innovation and Best Practices Meeting

On Wednesday 18 October, more than 100 People Foundation professionals came together to hold an annual collaborative day to exchange experiences, best practices and initiatives at the forefront of professionalism that have been implemented in our network of centres and services in Guardo, Palencia, Segovia, Valladolid and Zamora.

With a view to giving greater visibility and recognition to the professional work performed on a day-to-day basis, The People Foundation strives to continue fostering teamwork and the exchange of knowledge in the field of care, encouraging collaborative dynamics with common goals in mind. With Quality and Innovation at the service of people with intellectual disabilities.

The following best practices were presented:

“Centre that’s open to the community” (Guardo)
Active inclusion in community events of a sporting, cultural and social nature organised by other entities or by the town itself… giving greater visibility to people with intellectual disabilities. With freedom of choice and flexibility in the centre’s schedule.

“Books of Life” (Palencia)
Geared towards generating positive affectivity while boosting the well-being of the over 60s. The users themselves were involved in coming up with these “tribute books” and the delivery ceremony was attended by family members, friends as well as renowned professionals and volunteers.

“IMU: Urban Mobility Inventory” (Segovia)
A working tool to assess the support required by each and every person with intellectual disabilities in their usual environment in order to avail of adequate and responsible urban mobility, safely fostering their level of autonomy.

“Health and disability: Improving together” (Valladolid)
Pilot project in collaboration with the Castile and León Department of Health and the Río Hortega University Hospital to improve health care for patients with intellectual disabilities and autism. The monitoring committee comprises families and health professionals.

“Adult education as a preventive strategy in behavioural disorders” (Zamora)
It strives to add continuity to previous learning and evolves according to the user’s needs until becoming a key support for their emotional wellbeing, improving their relationship with their environment by acquiring and strengthening functional skills.

As well as these best internal practices, the Gorabide (Vizcaya) Association presented “My Plan”, that provides methodological people-centred planning support.

Encouraging teamwork and giving visibility while recognising the work the professionals do day in, day out was at the heart of this meeting, along with the People Foundation’s commitment to creating social value and comprehensive care for each person in their own environment throughout their lives.