Our work
Therapeutic work
Each human being is evolving, with a unique path. As a consequence, therapeutic work is individualized, described in your Individual Plan (IP). Depending on their age, we distinguish two groups of users with different needs:
Children and Young People are served by Curative Pedagogy. At this stage, the aim is to cure developmental abnormalities as much as possible. The companion is, with his authority as therapist, in a pedagogical relationship with the student.
Adults are monitored according to the concepts of Sociotherapy. We recognize that each person, including those with mental disabilities, has exceptional capabilities in addition to their disabilities. The companion/therapist guides, respecting that, regardless of their maturity or emotional age, each adult user has made their own path in life. This implies that the therapeutic takes place between two poles. On the one hand, we correct undesirable behaviors and pose challenges in the right way to encourage positive development in each user. On the other hand, we have to accept certain characteristics that each adult has and seek their well-being within the limitations that life has imposed on them. It is through workshop work that adults make their contribution to the world.
Therapies
According to individual needs and under the supervision of the Institution's doctor, users receive specific specialized therapies.
Residential House
Casa de Santa Isabel has a total of 6 residential homes. Approximately 7 students or companions and around four employees and their families live in each house. For the people in our care, their home is their base, their home. She provides them with warmth, security, and daily rhythm through meals, routine tasks, and creative activities. The companions live together in a family of choice, each person doing their part to maintain the harmonious functioning of the residence.
In families, special events are celebrated together, such as birthdays, Christmas parties, etc. and other activities are developed. All of this plays an important role in providing stability and providing a warm, therapeutic environment. Staff quarters are modest but well maintained and form an integral part of each home. Clients have a single room or have a roommate, depending on what is therapeutically desirable, with an adult responsible for their ongoing care and supervision of their personal needs. The village of São Romão and the small town of Seia are very close by.
Workshops
In the various workshops we seek to create conditions so that each participant can develop professionally, each contributing in their own way and according to their capabilities, to the real needs of the world around them. The companions work with the workshop masters and other collaborators in the bakery, kitchen, carpentry, weaving room, candle workshop, laundry, construction, book and binding workshop, horticulture, aromatic and medicinal herb garden and in the forest (forestry).
The workshop master/manager and the partner with a disability work together to create a quality product or service. In this way, work becomes ‘help that leads to development and humanization’. The products particularly meet the needs of the community, but are also sold abroad in our “As Quatro Estações” store in São Romão, at fairs, etc. The workshops have two aspects: Professional Training (FP) and the Occupational Activities Center (CAO).
Center of occupational activities (C.A.O)
For adults who do not qualify for Professional Training there is the Occupational Activities Center. Users of this Center can participate in one of several areas, such as Laundry, Kitchen, Bakery, Weaving, Carpentry, Maintenance Services, Book and Binding Workshop, Paper Recycling, Candle Workshop, Agriculture, Aromatic Herbs and Forestry.
For the most dependent people we also created an Artistic Workshop with adapted activities, with a stronger artistic component. Alongside these areas, various occupational activities are available, including theater, painting, swimming, folk dance, sport, art history and music therapy.
Professional training
Casa de Santa Isabel is an entity accredited by DGERT (General Directorate of Employment and Labor Relations) and provides Professional Training for people with disabilities and/or disabilities in the following areas:
- Clean carpentry*
- Kitchen*
- Hotel Maintenance**
- Bakery and Pastry*
- Forest Production**
This training is recognized and supported through the POISE program (Operational Program for Social Inclusion and Employment), being coordinated by the IEFP Intermediate Body. Graduates receive a training grant and food allowance.
*These areas belong to Route B, which provide equivalence to the 9th year of schooling, with a maximum of 3,200 hours of training, with the inclusion of a professional internship.
** These areas belong to Path C with a maximum of 2,900 hours of training with inclusion of professional internship.
