F. Background of service provider

The Estonian Agrenska Foundation also focuses on families with children with disabilities, often those with rare diseases. The establishment is slightly different, as the Estonian Agrenska Foundation has a broader base and is a cross-border initiative, with Swedish and Estonian stakeholders working together in a civil society unit working for public benefit.

The founders are the University of Tartu, established in 1632; University Hospitals, with the Children Clinic, established in 1922, as the major stakeholder; the national network of disability organizations; the Estonian Chamber of People with Disabilities, established in 1993; two Swedish founders; the Agrenska national centre for rare diseases, established in 1989; and Stenströms Ltd., a private company active in the fashion industry, established in 1899.

The Foundation was established in 2003 and in the same year started offering help for families with children with disabilities. During the course of its development, new units for supported employment, units for support with everyday care and provision of respite care for children with disabilities were established. The main hub of the NGO – located in a historical building from the 1850s that was very neglected and inaccessible and that did not have modern solutions for heating, water supply or sewage – has been made accessible, equipped with modern facilities. It serves as a good example of how neglected heritage property can be taken into active use, without compromising the need to preserve heritage or user-friendliness. The focus on children with disabilities, employment, everyday activities, social rehabilitation and working in a cross-border approach has made the initiative well-known at national level, attracting more public and private support to achieving the goals.

In 2022, a brand new service unit offering respite care for children with disabilities was opened, with 13 fully accessible rooms and the capacity to house at least 40 persons overnight. The new unit was established as part of a public-private partnership approach, with the State budget supporting about 60 per cent of the expense, sponsors from the business community covering 25 per cent, and 15 per cent being funded by the service provider.

Source: Estonian Agrenska Foundation.

The photos above show activities during summer 2022, which included intensive provision of childcare for children with disabilities and the launch of interval care for adults leading to independent living.