Friendship Clubs
Friendship Clubs operate on a neighbourhood level and offer services to senior citizens. Senior Athenians have their own space where they can find human warmth and social support, come into contact with individuals of a similar age, obtain information and enjoy recreational activities.
The Friendship Club programme includes creative pursuits, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, cultural venue visits, artistic endeavours, day trips and walking tours. Friendship Clubs seek to familiarize senior citizens with the problems of old age, assist them in adapting to the new conditions of life and co-existing harmoniously with younger people, as well as provide a supportive environment, particularly for those who have insufficient financial means or family members to take care of them.
Our senior fellow citizens have the opportunity to take part in Friendship Club cultural events, visit museums and other cultural venues free of charge as well as attend group dining and recreational gatherings.
Additionally, they can be informed on issues which affect them via special schemes. These include programmes on the prevention of road accidents and drowning, which were organized in cooperation with the University of Athens Medical School, as well as Alzheimer's disease.
Twenty-two Friendship Clubs operate in Athens. The newest Friendship Club is located in Kypseli. A new Club will soon open in Metaxourgeio. They are expected to facilitate hundreds of senior citizens, offering an outlet for the creative use of their time.
Along with the addition of new Clubs in recent years, improvements are being made at existing clubs and to services available to seniors, which encompass staff training, in association with universities and relevant agencies. In line with this philosophy, Friendship Club social workers and "Help at Home" scheme staff took part in a special training programme run by the Pain Alleviation and Counselling Care Unit on the management of patients with chronic or life-threatening illnesses. Apart from the continued training of staff, this cooperation includes case referrals for specialised counselling.
Friendship Club personnel comprise social workers, physiotherapists, nurses, administrative employees, technicians and auxiliary staff.
