Initiative lets people with intellectual disabilities work as informers at Igualada Hospital

A new initiative at the Igualada Hospital sees a dozen people with intellectual disabilities work as informers at the medical centre.

Organized in conjunction with the Àuria Foundation, their task is to guide patients who want to go to the Medical Day Hospital, which is under construction. The renovation works have caused the flow of movement in the hospital grounds to be altered. 

"A hospital can never stop and we had the challenge of ensuring that the patient was always well-oriented," explains Rosa Marín, director of citizen care.

Both the hospital and the foundation assure that the collaboration has been very positive.

For the participants, it has been a rewarding challenge. "At first I was very nervous and didn't know whether to accept the job or not," Marina says. "My mother encouraged me and now I'm starting to like it. I've overcome the challenge," she adds.

Vasile is another user of the Àuria Foundation involved in the project. Both he and Marina admit they apprehensive before starting, but in the end they are very pleased. Vasile says that he really enjoys helping people and believes that working at the hospital allows him to do so.

Organizers at the Àuria Foundation say that the participants have gained communication skills, additional security in their surroundings, and more autonomy.

Works are scheduled to be done on the Pharmacy and Emergency blocks of the medical centre later in 2026, and the initiative will be repeated.

Marín explains that they could have chosen to signal the works with posters, but they preferred a "more humane" approach.

The collaboration between Àuria and the Igualada Hospital is included in the social entity's job guidance services and aims to find work for people with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems in the area.