The city council of Santander and the Obra San Martín foundation have reopened the cafeteria at Finca Altamira, aiming to establish an inclusive gathering place for the elderly, local residents, and the general public. This initiative seeks to empower individuals with disabilities to become active agents of transformation within the community.
The reopening is part of a socio-labour integration project designed to address the operational needs of the cafeteria. Under the management of Obra San Martín, the Altamira space will serve as a meeting point where people with disabilities will play a vital role in community engagement.
This initiative is grounded in a collaboration agreement between the two entities, which aims to normalise the presence of individuals with disabilities in everyday activities. The daily operations of the cafeteria will involve trained staff with disabilities, ensuring accessible communication and quality service for all users.
As part of the agreement, additional programmes will focus on community participation and outreach. Users and staff will share knowledge, experiences, and perspectives that enrich local life and broaden collective understanding. Their involvement in cultural activities, workshops, mural projects, dialogue spaces, and digital initiatives will not only highlight diverse realities but also strengthen the social fabric of the neighbourhood, fostering empathy and building a more inclusive community.
Further activities are planned, including discussion panels where staff will share their experiences, supported by professionals from the foundation. Intergenerational workshops will also be organised, encouraging shared activities between elderly users of the centre and staff to promote mutual understanding.
The agreement also allows for open days and celebrations for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, featuring activities, testimonials, and potentially the sale of products or special events. Collective exhibitions will also be developed, alongside sessions with hospitality sector companies to share experiences and best practices for the employment inclusion of people with disabilities.
Obra San Martín has a proven track record in labour insertion and personal autonomy projects within the disability sector and beyond. This particular initiative is ambitious and socially significant, aiming to enhance the personal and social autonomy of workers, strengthen their professional skills, and increase their access to regular employment. It will also promote social and community inclusion, reduce employment barriers, energise the leisure centre for the elderly, and establish a model of employment in real environments that is open to the neighbourhood.
