CARE INSTITUTIONS FOR DISABLED PERSONS
6.b.3. Care Institution Center of Individuals with Heavy Mental Disabilities
“White Butterflies” (Volos)
The institution was founded in 1970 from a charity foundation and it has been
operating as Public Entity of Private Law supervised by the Ministry of Health since
1974. It provides a boarding house for 50 persons of all ages suffering with severe
mental-psychosocial disabilities (Down syndrome, autism, sensory disabilities). It is
funded by donations, grants and billing via Greek National Health Service
Organization with no state funding. It employs 29 caregivers –nurses, one
neurologist-psychiatrist (external associate) as a scientific responsible and
volunteers (doctors and other specialties). It accommodated 50 persons, including
two minors under thirteen; the rest were adults under judicial support the oldest
being 65 years old.
Care Institution Center for
Individuals with Heavy Mental
Disabilities “White Butterflies”
(Volos) - inspection on 1/10/19
There were three-bed, two-bed and single-bed rooms and one bathroom every two
rooms. A model unit of multisensory environment44 for children and adults with
sensory disabilities functioned in the renovated wing. There were ergotherapy
services and indoor activities available. Permission to exit the premises was granted
to functional children accompanied by their judicially appointed guardian. The NPM
team hasn't perceived any restraint measures and the administration declared that
they do not use such practice under any circumstances. However, in its talks with the
residents the Mechanism got the impression people were socially isolated and
lacked contact with the community.
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The unit is equipped with state-of-the art technology that is a donation of the Stavros
Niarhos Foundation.
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