Chania Social Cooperative for Mental Health Users

In 1999 the Greek government established, as a part of general mental health reform program, a legal framework (law 2716/99, article 12) that supports the setting up of social Co-operatives with Limited liability for the target group of mentally ill persons.

This has the following characteristics:

• independent legal and tax status as a business, trading with limited liability
• retention of supervision by the Ministry of Health
• permission to carry out any economic activity
• exemption from corporate taxes except VAT
• three categories of members: people suffering from mental illness (>35%); mental health professionals (<45%); other individuals and sponsoring organisations (<20%)
• two of the seven-member board come from the user category
• users may earn a wage without losing their benefit payments
• each member buys one voting share and may also buy additional non-voting investment shares

The Social Cooperative with Limited Liability (KoiSPE) in the Mental Health Sector of Chania has been operating since 2006, and is based on Crete (an island of 601.160 inhabitants). KoiSPE represents a new pathway to social inclusion for persons with psychosocial disabilities and serves both therapeutic and entrepreunial purposes. It aims to broad the carrier opportunities and improve the quality of life of those suffering from mental illnesses. The main axes of the enterprising environment of the Social Co-operative are the financial viability, the social interest, the quality and the on-going development of new working positions for mentally ill people. KoiPSE's activities contribute in local and prefecture level. The products and the services provided are characterized by their quality, ecological balance and competitive prices.

The members of the Social Cooperative of Chania are 129. 59 of them are people suffering from mental illness, 46 are mental health professionals and 23 are individuals and sponsoring organizations.

In the scope of its activities, KoiSPE has developed activities in the following areas:

1. Gift Shop in the Central Market of Chania
2. Car wash in the area of the General Hospital "St. George" and the area of the State Mental Health Hospital of Chania.
3. Canteen - Cafe in the Community Mental Health Centre of Chania
4. Storing - Preparation of Traditional Products

Many organizations support KoiSPE's activities. Among them are the Prefectural Administration of Chania, the Municipalities of Chania, Kissamos and Souda, the Municipal Enterprise of Platania, the General Hospital 'St. George', the Cooperative Bank of Crete, the Cooperative Bank of Chania and the Institute of Mediterranean Nutrition.

About Chania

The city of Chania is located on the north-east part of the Prefecture of Chania. It is the capital of the prefecture and the administrative, economic, commercial and transportation center. The Municipality of Chania has a population of over 60.000 residents and is built over the ruins of the ancient city of Kydonia. Since the ancient times, the city of Chania has faced many conquerors and the influences of many civilizations through time, evident on the city monuments. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities of Greece and the most picturesque city of Crete. The city of Chania is also characterized by a rich cultural life. A plethora of cultural events are organized every year (exhibitions, festivals, theatrical and musical performances, ect.).

The Municipal Market is one of the most central spots in the city, built in 1913. In a short distance from the center, there is the Municipal Garden and next to it, the park "Eirinis kai Filias" (park of peace and friendship).

The Venetian port attracts many visitors throughout the year, because of its beauty and the numerous bars and restaurants by the seaside for every taste. The districts of the city still preserve their Venetian nobility. Narrow passages surrounded by elegant houses, built in different historical periods, offer visitors a pleasant walk.

The modern and cosmopolitan way of life cause inevitable changes to large, urban centres. However, the city of Chania has managed to preserve those elements which constitute the cultural physiognomy of Cretan folk traditions. The holidays and the festivals, the daily activities and the rich artistic production are what bonds the modern Cretan with the past and his heritage.

Additionally, tight bonds between family and relatives, time honoured traditions, music and songs are still preserved, more so than in any other region of Greece. The violi, the lyre and the laouto remain the characteristic musical instruments, the Cretan dances, the most popular being the local Sirto of Chania, are still danced at every opportunity and the "madinades" and the "rizitika" songs resound in every celebration.