Report of the CHR on the Activities of the National Preventive Mechanism in Poland 9.3 Strengths and good practices In 2015, as in previous years, the representatives of the Mechanism recognised the atmosphere of kindness and understanding for the needs of residents prevailing in most visited establishments, the personnel’s commitment to care for them as well as a cultural and educational and therapeutic offer138. Specific centres implemented numerous noteworthy projects and practices. The SCC in Nakło nad Notecią cooperates with a neuro-speech therapist who visits residents once a quarter, diagnoses their needs and selects exercises to be carried out under the guidance of occupational therapists. In turn, the Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, Primate of the Millennium, SCC in Ostrołęka offers as many as 14 occupational therapy workshops (artistic carpentry, arts, applied arts, handicrafts, ornamentation and decoration, ceramics, catering, tailoring, gardening, music, IT, wickerwork, decoupage, sculpture) and a multimedia room for experiencing the world. Due to the growing problem of alcoholism among residents of the SCC in Jaromin, a consultation point was established in 2013. Group therapy is carried out by a qualified therapist and activities are held 3 times a week. Furthermore, particular therapeutic care is provided to residents of the SCC in Opole who abuse alcohol, while residents of the SCC in Białystok are proposed to start their anti-alcohol therapy. The SCC in Jarogniewice pursues the Primary rehabilitation programme for the blind, the visually impaired and the partially sighted which covers primarily learning how to move on one’s own (spatial orientation), perform basic activities of daily living (self-care) and communicate (Braille, computer). In order to maintain contact with loved ones, the SCC in Szczebrzeszyn organises visits of its residents to their family homes. In turn, the SCC in Gryfice is equipped with two computer workstations which enable contact via Skype. However, hospitalised residents of the SCC in Łódź and the SCC in Milanówek are visited and provided with care every day or even several times a day by the centre’s personnel throughout their stay in a hospital. As reported by residents, the personnel of the SCC in Jaromin verbally present and remind provisions of legal acts as well as provide announcements at meetings of residents in individual buildings held 1-2 times a month. In turn, the SCC in Ząbkowice Śląskie organises meetings with a legal counsel. The following SCCs were recognised as outstanding in this regard: SCC in Wrocław, Brother Albert Foundation SCC in Łódź, SCC in Opole, SCC in Rzeszów, SCC in Nakło nad Notecią. 138 54