Aspandem is a non-profitmaking association created in 1980 with the aim of supporting people, both children and adults, with disabilities and offering special attention in an individualised manner as well as offering a lifeline to families who may need help or assessment on the coast.
Established over 30 years, the association works alongside the San Pedro and Marbella town halls as well as the Ministry of Health to provide a transparent organisation with the best attention for people with disabilities. The many Aspandem centres and services, with headquarters in San Pedro, have over 140 employees, including psychologists, social workers, doctors, nurses, speech therapists, physiotherapists and also administration and service staff, and in 1985 it was declared a public utility, being audited annually and serving over 600 people.
As stated on the website, their aim is to: “Normalise the living conditions of people with disabilities regardless of the type, degree of affect and age, and also take into account their wishes, self-determination and aspirations.”
The Aspandem installations in San Pedro include a residence for severely affected people and an adult residence in a newly built building next to the boulevard near El Ingenio area. There is also a special education centre coordinated with the Ministry of Education at C/Jorge Guillén (close to the Thursday market area).
Their many service areas are as follows:
Detection, assessment, orientation and monitoring for children and adults
Medical-psychological social care
Centres and services for the promotion of an independent life-style
Centres and services to train and promote people with disabilities for employment
Child development and early care centres
Pedagogical and physiotherapeutic support
Water/aquatic therapy unit
Agreement with the Costa del Sol Hospital for the phonological occupational therapy centres
Garden Centre in La Campana
Occupational services centre ‘El Arquillo’
Graphic Arts Occupational Centre ‘Las Palomas’
Special employment centre ‘Sermasol’, support service for professional and social development
Store in the Costa del Sol Hospital
Supported employment service
Occupational Vocational Training Courses
Annual education programmes for employees and especially professional carers/caretakers.
How you can help
Aspandem has a garden centre in La Campana, two smaller kiosks selling plants in San Pedro’s town centre, and a stall at the Thursday market, with all proceeds going towards helping the association. There is also a charity shop in C/Marques de Estela 22-24, which is open in the mornings and also a store at the Hospital Costa del Sol with gifts, press, flowers etc.
ASPANDEM:
Avenida Principe de Asturias, s/n.
Telephone: 952787650
Email: info@aspandem.org
www.aspandem.org