BUSINESS: 468 PRACTICES
MEGA Disposables is 100% Greek company and one of the largest European manufacturers in personal hygiene.With trusted brands(Babylino, EveryDay, Sani etc) holds strong position in the Greek Market while exporting in 4 continents.
Read more: www.megadis.gr
For MEGA, Corporate Responsibility is a key component of its corporate culture and an integral part of its business. The company has completed a broad CSR program which called: “Actions of Care” with the aim of creating mutual benefit to society.
In the context of the CSR program “Actions of Care” a special action was held entitled which called: “Theatrical workshops for the elderly” in cooperation with the brand of incontinence products Sani Sensitive.
The primary audience is people of the Elderly 65+
The innovation of the initiative lies in the fact that for the first time a social action is carried out which aims at active aging and is focused only on the elderly of our country, with such a large active participation.
The action started on the occasion of the International Day of the Elderly (1st October) and was implemented in the years 2016 and 2018.
The Third Age is a valuable asset for Sani Sensitive, which contributes substantially to the support of the cohesion of the Greek family and society.
Sani personal care products stand systematically next to the elderly, implementing with great sensitivity a variety of social actions in collaboration with Municipalities, Nursing Homes and Charities, which aim to contribute to the improvement of their daily life and health.
MEGA, 100% Greek Company, created and implemented a targeted social action for the Elderly in the context of active aging. The Social Program included experiential theatrical workshops, a pioneering, social initiative that radiates optimism and at the same time improves the life of the elderly through art.
In particular, active aging, which is an essential part of the Europe 2020 strategy, allows people after retirement to use their potential to live prosperously and be active in society, in such a way as to cover their needs and desires.
By participating in programs such as the theatrical workshops, the elderly are socialized, they feel that they are members of a group and, most importantly, they feel energetic and active. Older people find intriguing interests, do not feel isolated and on the margins of life and can create social contacts starting from the common interest, such as an interesting theatrical performance.
With this reasoning, the company contacted the Municipalities to offer them experiential theatrical workshops for all members of the 25 KAPI of Athens and Salonica.
The objectives of the experiential theatrical workshops were:
• Cultivation of skills to express thoughts and feelings (analysis, composition, criticism, imagination, creativity, ingenuity)
• Memory practice
• Familiarity with teamwork
• Socialization while giving joy to their daily life
• Enhancing a sense of community EU for active aging
• Building excellent relations of mutual benefit of MEGA with the Society and with Institutions
The workshops were held in each in Athens and Salonica separately in 10 two-hour experiential meetings and in groups of 10 - 20 elderly people with the guidance of reputable theatrologists - actors and with emphasis on theatrical play.
They drew themes and scenes from the Greek Cinema after the elderly themselves chose the Greek films that they liked, recalling moments from their younger years.
The experiential workshops culminated through theatrical performances in Municipal theaters or in the premises of KAPI, which took place with great success.
The protagonists were the elderly themselves, both in the roles and in the organization and editing of the performances, which were attended and applauded by many people.
The results of the action as shown in numbers below were considered impressive:
More than 1000 seniors actively participated.
Over 3000 seniors’ friends and grandchildren attended the theatrical performances.
A total of 50 theatrical performances were realized in Athens and Salonica inspired by Greek cinema.
The ability to express thoughts and feelings (analysis, composition, imagination, creativity, ingenuity) was exercised.
A sense of satisfaction in fulfilling a wish of life (some people told us that it was their unfulfilled dream to be the protagonists of a theatrical performance) filled the participants with joy and bliss.
The Program added interests and goals to their daily life.
They practiced their memory.
They familiarized themselves again with teamwork.
They socialized.
They enhanced the sense of participation in a community.
Municipalities of Attica and Salonica.
MEGA has completed this program in cooperation with different Municipalities of Attica and Salonica, as well as with Social cooperative enterprise “CIRCLES CREATIVE”EXPRESSION”.
We believe that the results of this action are important and the steps followed by MEGA in terms of development and implementation, exceeded expectations.
The feedback we received from the people who participated was a big “Thank you” because we changed their daily routine, since they often studied their roles at home, rehearsed and actively participated in theatrical games of self-expression.
In addition, there were many who took out of their chest a musical instrument they played when they were young and remembered to play again for the purposes of the show.
The example of an elderly man who did not know how to read and the words of his role were learned by his grandson at home are touching. A very gentle old man with Dementia finally starred in a show with the constant help, patience and support of the whole team. Another elderly woman was typically very happy because one of her unfulfilled dreams (of becoming an actress) came true with great success and countless applause.
Finally, by implementing successfully this Program, ΜΕGΑ has contributed to practice in the active aging goals of the EU, while also contributing to the promotion of the global sustainable development goal for the Good Health and Well Being (SDG 3).
