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Population: 3.4 million (Source: World Bank 2000)

Albanian Lake Hamlet Trust has had links with Albania since 1997, and we currently have links with the following organisation:

STOP PRESS: Autumn 2005 sees the launch of Hamlet's successful Pathways to Policy programme in Albania, developing mental health policy by bringing together a wide range of mental health stakeholders to form a Local Policy Forum. If you or your organisation are based in Albania and would like to find out more, please click here to email Jonathan Bureau at Hamlet Trust or contact Alternativa directly at the address below.

 

 

 

Alternativa "Alternativa" Resource Centre for Mental Health

Leader of organisation: Adriatik Biçaku
Board Members: Adriatik Biçaku, Thoma Ceka, Dragush Totozani, Bledar Papalilo, Bilal Luari
Address: Rruga Gjon Muzaka, Nr 40, P.O. Box 2930, Tirana
Tel: + 355 42 329 85
Fax: + 355 42 329 85
Email: adri@albnet.net

Alternativa Association is an Albanian NGO working in community mental health care in Tirana, Albania. It offers services for people with severe mental health problems and their families on a daily basis, tailored to individual and group needs. It was set up in 1995 with the assistance of Hamlet Trust, and in 1996 it was registered as a local NGO. In 2000-2001 Alternativa was a partner in Hamlet's major Developing Network Partnerships programme, funded by the UK National Lotteries Charitable Board (now Big Lottery Fund) and aimed at developing organisational capacity.

The organisation's activities now include:

  • A members' self-help group
  • Training for members in social skills such as cooking and hygiene care
  • training for carers
  • employment projects including a candle workshop and bicycle repair workshop
  • training in computers and English
  • recreational activities (painting, knitting)
  • social and cultural events
  • advocacy support and visits to the families
  • production and distribution of information on mental health
  • a parents' and carers' self-help group.

Alternativa recently produced a video documentary film in cooperation with KLAN, a public national television station, to show the role of Alternativa and its members in giving a positive image of psychiatric community care. This project has been supported by Hamlet Trust. Alternativa employs three service users and one parent to facilitate activities alongside professionals.

Alternativa's other main funders include CORDAID, Holland and the Open Society Institute Albania.

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