Aviva Insurance has re-established co-operation with the Rainbow Association, supporting the integration of people with mental disabilities as part of its social responsibility programme.
Aviva Insurance has re-established co-operation with the Rainbow Association, supporting the integration of people with mental disabilities as part of its social responsibility programme.
"We have to get rid of prejudices, so it's good that associations like DUHA (Rainbow) exist, to help enable youngsters and adults with mental disabilities to live outside institutional care. Aviva will certainly be striving to help positively influence the social environment and public thinking," comments Aviva CSR manager Pavlína Ptáková.
She adds: "Co-operation won't just be limited to direct financial support. We want every interested employee to be able to take part. The first event for our employees in this regard will be a Christmas market offering goods made by DUHA clients. The market is to be held at the premises of our company head office, with goods being sold directly by DUHA clients."
The mission of the Rainbow Association for integration of the mentally disabled is to provide social services for adults with mental disabilities and to co-operate with them in extending their life opportunities whilst reflecting current social conditions.
Aviva will be presented as a partner at the Rainbow Association Workshops Open Day, to be held on 1 December 2007. The open day is to include the sale of traditional Christmas-themed products, a tour of the workshops and a presentation of services. Added attractions are a fashion show and a performance by the band QJETEN/AKUSTIC/CZ.
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For more information, contact:
Dr Eva Brožová
Sheltered Housing director - the Rainbow Association
E-mail: brozova@spolecnostduha.cz
www.spolecnostduha.cz
Pavlína Ptáková
CSR manager - Aviva životní pojišťovna, as
E-mail: pavlina.ptakova@avivazp.cz
www.aviva-pojistovna.cz
Notes for editors:
The origins of Aviva date back to the end of the 17th century, more than 300 years ago. Aviva plc is currently the fifth largest insurance group in the world, one of the three foremost insurance companies in Europe and the largest insurer in Great Britain. The company's core business is the provision of life and property insurance services and fund management. Assets managed by the company exceed £290 billion sterling. T
he company employs over 56,000 people worldwide and provides services to 30 million clients. Aviva plc has been active in the Czech Republic since 1997 via its 100% owned subsidiary company Aviva životní pojišťovna, as (until 2002 under the name of Commercial Union životní pojišťovna, as). It is the first and only British life insurance company in the Czech Republic and specializes in investment life insurance products (Aviva EasyLife, Personal Life Plan, Talisman, Aviva benefit).
The Rainbow Association for the integration of the mentally disabled was established in early 1992 by Mrs Michaela Frycová on the initiative of members of the Czech Association for the Mentally Disabled (Sdružení pro pomoc mentálně postiženým) in conjunction with the DUHA (Rainbow) Foundation. Its mission was to secure help for adults with mental disabilities towards a fulfilled life.
The Rainbow Association first began running a Residential Home, then a Day Care Centre and a Respite Care Centre. In 1992 it accepted an offer of financial support from the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee for the establishment of sheltered accommodation for people with mental disabilities, becoming the first organization in the republic to develop this service. Its staff learned their skills primarily under specialists in Great Britain, with whom they maintain friendly ties.
The first stage saw the opening of sheltered dwellings, which grew in numbers in following years, along with the comprehensive nature of the services provided. As the number of clients grew, so did the importance of the Rainbow Association's position among non-governmental organizations involved in the provision of social services. Thus it began in ever greater measure to fulfil the aim it had set itself - enabling youngsters and adults with mental disabilities to live outside institutional care.