Trainings and Workshops for Caregivers of People with Disabilities, Including Autism
Fundacja Giganci is a non-governmental organization dedicated to supporting caregivers of teenagers and adult children with disabilities, including ASD, as well as their families. We regularly organize various meetings — trainings, workshops, and masterclasses— to connect with our community, share experiences, and provide support.
Purpose of the Giganci Foundation Trainings, Workshops, Seminars and other Events
If this week hasn’t been kind to you, we will do everything possible to change that, so you leave the workshop feeling lighter and more rested!
About
Workshops/Events Organized for Parents/Caregivers of People with Disabilities
What are the characteristics of Giganci Foundation seminars and events? 🙂
- They are niche, unique, and highly diverse
- Complete openness to people
- Kindness, empathy, and tolerance
- Joy, tranquility, and understanding
- Ensuring mental and physical comfort
- Comprehensive care and attention
- Reminders of what movement is and how easily it can be contagious
- Workshops for everyone, regardless of physical fitness
- Nutritious and tasty snacks
- Free entry
- It’s fun!!! 🙂
Register via email: kontakt@fundacjagiganci.org
Our Activities
Change World Together
For caregivers of children with developmental disabilities, parenting programmes can be particularly beneficial in increasing their confidence and parenting skills.
They can also lead to improved well-being of both caregivers and children.
Our Expedition: “Kayaking Expedition”. 7.06.2023
The next challenge taken on by the Giganci Foundation was a kayaking expedition with our disabled children. It was given an A+! We are surprised that our children did so well. They paddled beautifully, as if they had been training for many years. Their older siblings gave tips and advice. And we, the parents, admired their commitment, attentiveness and skills. In difficult moments, we supported each other. Small crises are easier to overcome in a friendly, supportive environment.
Stunning nature, silence, birds, positive energy of participants – this is the cure for our stress, failures and problems. We took back to our homes what we miss every day: peace, relaxation, smiles.
It was worth it! Those who haven’t had time to join us will still have the opportunity.
We don’t stop thinking, creating, improving our ideas, organizing, working and acting better. Everything for you, with you – supporters of the Giganci Foundation. Thank you for being with us and for giving us your trust, openness and friendship.
We will probably keep a whole load of memories from the trip and confirmation that nothing is impossible. A positive attitude and a smile are enough. Together we can do it. Strength in numbers.
Our special words of gratitude to Mariusz Saramak from the Zdobywaj NiezdoZdoby Foundation: without you and your guiding it would be difficult. You make our expeditions easier for us through excellent preparation and professionalism. Thank you for your care, tolerance, full understanding of our families, carers of people with disabilities and our exceptional children.
The Workshop: Continuation of workshops from the series: "Fit workshops HEALTHY AND FITNESS for caregivers of people with disabilities". 27.05.2023
The Giganci Foundation has unique and original ideas that it implements with great commitment. This was also the case on Saturday, May 27, 2023, when something completely new was organized – workshops on the basics of Irish dancing! Thanks to Krysia, a young and passionate dancer, we learned the basic steps and even managed to create a short routine. This dance is very energetic and rhythmic, which made both us, caregivers of people with disabilities, and our children, gain a lot of positive energy and joy. This was an activity we definitely needed!
The first part of the workshop was for carers only, so we had time for ourselves. Our charges were under the care of therapists, and their time was also valuable – obstacle courses, gymnastics, puzzles. Then there were Irish dance classes for children and young people. Teenagers joined us. We were pleased that they wanted to try something completely new. It was a big challenge for them, but in a friendly atmosphere they quickly got into the swing of things and learned a few complicated Irish steps, creating a great routine. For us parents, they rose to the challenge and additionally raised the bar for us. „The student overtakes the master.”
Of course, we couldn’t miss home-made delicacies and sweets, which we always prepare in a healthy and creative way.
The Workshop: Continuation of workshops from the series: "Fit workshops HEALTHY AND FITNESS for caregivers of people with disabilities". 20.05.2023
We offer regular workshops called „Fit workshops HEALTHY AND FITNESS” for caregivers of people with disabilities. These workshops are very popular, which confirms that our actions are right and necessary. This activity is not only about endorphins and physical activity, but also a stimulus to cope with the reality of caring for our demanding children.
We already have our regular group of participants, but new ones are always arriving. Recently, a mother and daughter took part in the workshops. They are not only involved in the lives of their son and grandson, but above all, they are fantastic women who also want to find time for themselves. Eryk’s father also decided to visit us. We are sure we will see him again.
Our workshops have their permanent elements. We start with a short introduction of each participant, then we move on to the actual training. Our trainer focuses on each person, checking the correctness of the exercises performed and adjusting the difficulty to the capabilities of each of us. She also mentioned that for the next few days we will remember her training, and we, using the principle of small steps, add new ones to the previous recommendations, for example regarding the correct posture when carrying heavy shopping. We finished the training with stretching and relaxation. After the activity, we have time for conversations, shared coffee and snacks, which we never lack. We always make sure that the food is tasty and healthy.
A Trip: “Białowieża – a full-day bicycle trip” for carers of people with disabilities, disabled children and their families and friends. 13.05.2023
With great joy, the Giganci Foundation covered 34 km in one day along the trails of the Białowieża Forest. We were with our entire families. Friends also joined us. We spent our time actively. These were certainly unforgettable moments, full of laughter, satisfaction, and shared conversations.
Once again, our disabled children showed that they are willing and able to walk many kilometers. They were happy, proud and at the end very hungry. A bonfire, a sausage, beautiful sunny weather is the best reward.
We would like to thank the tour guides: Mariusz and Renata from the Zdobywaj NiezdoZdoby Foundation for their organization, understanding of our children, commitment and continued willingness to cooperate.
Two Foundations: the Giganci Foundation and the Collect the Niezdobyte Foundation.
Even their names indicate that these two NGOs undertake large, gigantic, even impossible and unattainable matters.
We combine our forces, cooperate, network and plan specific actions.
We have many ideas for events and trips. We are convinced that promoting activity, movement, and sports for families of people with ASD and/or other disabilities is our common cause.
Outdoor activity not only improves the body’s fitness, endurance and flexibility, but above all has a very positive effect on our well-being. It is one of the best therapies.
We want to get active and involve our children, young people, entire families and friends. We want to spend time together and enjoy what we have, despite the limitations resulting from disabilities. It’s worth trying, it’s worth setting goals, because together we feel that we will succeed.
The Trip: "Bicycle welcome to spring" for caregivers of people with disabilities, disabled children and their families and friends. 25.03.2023
The „Bicycle Welcome to Spring” is already behind us. The Giganci Foundation, together with the Wiedza Niezdobyte Foundation, traveled a long distance through the Kabacki Forest in Ursynów in Warsaw. It was a challenge, but as it turned out, not for our disabled children. Overall, they rocked! There was pace, adrenaline, energy, power, a smile from ear to ear. The weather was also a surprise for us. While we were riding along the bike paths and lighting a fire, it was beautiful and sunny. Not a drop of rain! Well, the Giants know how to plan anything. If you haven’t been there, you should regret it, or better yet, don’t think twice next time, just pack the most necessary things, get on your bike and ride with us.
So far, it was only a test route of 15 km, meanwhile our children wanted to go further! They undoubtedly passed the exam with flying colors, giving us motivation for further bicycle trips, even all-day ones – with a big lunch and a longer rest.
The Workshop: "Let go of your emotions and follow me. A workshop opening your interior in drawing and painting.” 22.04.2023
The meeting was led by Sylwia Morkiewicz-Piekarska – an artist, painter, graphic designer, interior designer, jewelry designer, stylist, and VM trainer.
These were art therapy workshops, enabling moments of silence from the worries of everyday life. We took up the challenge and worked on our interior, including both the mental sphere (e.g. emotion, excitement, anxiety, hope, helplessness) and the physical sphere (accelerated heart rate, increased body heat, muscle tremors).
We learned how to release our negative emotions through drawing and painting. It was a completely new, fascinating experience for all participants.
None of us had any previous contact with painting techniques. But that wasn’t the point here.
The goal was completely different. Following the leader, our hands intuitively and carelessly showed us how to draw lines, what colors were important to us, and, above all, what we wanted to convey on our canvas.
We worked individually, everyone had their own brush, easel, painting, but at the same time we were in it together, we looked at our works together and interpreted them. The entire workshop and all of Sylwia’s tips turned out to be very valuable and helped us understand that thanks to emotions we feel and react to the external and internal world.
How we feel will determine the direction of our actions or lack thereof. We definitely let go of our negative emotions, allowing ourselves to be born new ones – bringing hope, joy and respite.
The Workshop: "Sensoplasty® without barriers for children with disabilities and their caregivers." 15.04.2023
Sensoplasty classes for our Foundation were conducted by Monika Woźniak – a licensed therapist of the Sensoplasty method. For four years, she conducted similar workshops in several Warsaw cafés, children’s clubs and special schools. Mother of two teenagers, including 15-year-old Aleks with autism. In her free time she does handicrafts.
The workshops were intended for children with disabilities, and their guardians could also participate. It is also possible to leave your child under the care of trained staff (workshop leader with the support of a caregiver/therapist). During these classes, the parent had time alone in another room – with coffee and tea.
The workshops were conducted professionally, the leader took care of every detail. All participants were taken care of and had a fantastic time.
In line with the mission of our workshops, we are open to various types of disabilities. We also try to ensure the comfort of all people participating in them.
At the Open House we have excellent conditions for this, for which we are very grateful.
The Workshop: "KRAV MAGA for everyone". 18.03.2023
The workshops were conducted by Marcin Pęks, who has been training martial arts for six years: Krav Maga (green belt), boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. On a daily basis, he is the head of IT projects in an investment bank, where he fights with corporate sparring partners. Privately, he is a father of teenage twins. They develop completely differently and are completely different. The son has childhood autism, the daughter is an element of life and a daddy’s girl. He enjoys photographing his children, because this is also Marcin’s passion.
Have you ever been in a situation of real danger, face to face with an aggressor? Can you imagine such a situation? Would you be able to react appropriately?
We found the answer to these and other questions at our next workshop „KRAV MAGA for Everyone”. We started it in a way we are already familiar with. We wanted to spend some time together, have a coffee, and just be with each other. At the same time, Marcin Pęksa – our trainer – slowly introduced us to the secrets of this little-known discipline. He presented the history of KRAV MAGA, showed examples of threats and situations that we may encounter, and presented a plan for learning self-defense. Of course, in order to move on to the actual training, he subjected us to a solid warm-up. The rest of the meeting was not based only on theory. We learned how to react appropriately to attempts to steal our precious bags. Every reaction to provocations, attacks, and dangerous situations was practiced by all participants. There was also a lot of laughter and funny situations. And when it seemed that we would run out of strength, as always, our nutrition department took care of healthy food for all participants.
We would like to thank the Świt Cultural Center, the Open House, Arthouse Kołowa and Arteneum for the opportunity to create „space” for caregivers of people with disabilities.
The Workshop: Continuation of workshops from the series: "Fit workshops HEALTHY AND FITNESS for caregivers of people with disabilities." 04.03.2023
The next meeting from our series „Fit workshops HEALTHY AND FITNESS for caregivers of people with disabilities” is behind us.
There were conversations, specific stretching, and a several-kilometer run or walk. Marlena Jastrzębska devoted a large part of her training to stretching, rolling and relaxation. We hope that everyone has been encouraged to pay attention to this form of activity. We also managed to eat healthily and spend time together pleasantly.
We would like to thank the Świt Cultural Center and the Open House for creating a wonderful space, providing equipment and help.
We would also like to thank Jola for feeding us so many vitamins.
The Workshop: Continuation of the workshop from the series: “How to stop and be with yourself” for caregivers of people with disabilities. 11.02.2023
On February 11, the second meeting in the series of classes „How to stop and be with yourself” took place.
The workshop leaders, Małgorzata Treszczotko and Magdalena Łapszow, once again introduced us to the magical world.
We surrendered to fantasy, oblivion and complete relaxation. It was beautiful. The initial proposal – dancing with scarves – triggered joy, free movement and relaxation in us.
Sudden changes in the rhythm of the music put us in a great mood and gave us a slight warm-up, only to stop for a moment again, slow down and focus on ourselves, on our own bodies. We began to become friends with our body through free, gentle massage of each of our limbs, neck and head. We haven’t forgotten about breathing – even and constant.
By inviting us to a wonderful parable, they reminded us that our body and mind need maximum calm, relaxation and being together. It’s not easy, but it’s worth allowing yourself this pleasure.
The last part of the workshop ended with dancing, according to the choreography, which, as it turned out, was not difficult, because we did it freely, naturally and with gratitude.
It was a form of thanks that we are here and now, together, in the wonderful spaces of the Open House, which provides us with its places to host countless valuable events, just like these – for Guardians of People with Disabilities.
The cherry on the cake was, as always with us, a healthy snack prepared by our friend. The wonderful time we had and the delicious snacks helped us feel the sun in our bodies and minds, despite today’s gray, gloomy weather outside the window.
We thank our volunteer for taking care of our children. They also had a nice time, some with us, some without us.
Świt Cultural Center, Arteneum, thank you.
The Workshop: A completely new workshop from the series: “How to stop and be with yourself” for Caregivers of People with Disabilities. 28.01.2023
On January 28, under the name „How to Stop and Be with Yourself”, we started a new series of meetings!
The first relaxation workshop was conducted by Magdalena Łapszow, a movement therapist and SI therapist in the DMT (Dance and Movement Therapy) training, and Małgorzata Treszczotko, a psychologist in the DMT training.
During the classes, we provided ourselves with a safe space in motion, with music. It was a time for us to regenerate, relax and stop. Stress, fatigue, lack of energy, negative emotions such as fear, anger, guilt, sometimes, or maybe even often, accompany us. And we still convince ourselves that we do not have time to change this and that we do not deserve a moment just for ourselves. Undoubtedly, this valuable workshop gave us a moment in which we felt how much we needed regeneration, relaxation, forgetting about problems and kept us convinced that taking care of ourselves is a priority in everyday functioning. Various proposals of exercises with relaxing music and a warm voice in the background, to which we were kindly invited by the workshop leaders, directed us to mindfulness of our own body, mind, breath. These were unforgettable moments of regeneration, relaxation, stopping. „I am here and now.” „Stay for a moment!”
It is worth mentioning that we also took care of healthy snacks, a friendly atmosphere, positive energy and a break from everyday matters, even for a moment. Thanks to this, we can share with others what we gained during the workshops, which is, above all, smiles and laughter.
As always, we thank Dom Kultury Świt for sharing their beautiful and friendly interiors of Arteneum. Thanks to the safe space, we had dream conditions for practicing.
The Workshop: Another meeting in the series “Fit Workshops HEALTHY AND FITNESS for caregivers of people with disabilities”. 21.01.2023
The Fit Workshop, which took place on January 21st, is another suggestion on how to take care of yourself. Under the watchful eye of our foundation colleague and great trainer, Marlena Jastrzębska, we exercised all muscle groups, paying special attention to the correctness of execution. Throughout the meeting, the trainer passed on to us „secret” knowledge that we can use every day.
We already know that talking together is only part of our needs. We want activity in all its forms and healthy and rational nutrition to become our everyday life. We will walk, run and exercise together, feel good in our bodies, stay in shape or get back into shape.
We would like to thank the Świt Cultural Center for providing their beautiful and friendly Arteneum interiors.
The Event: “St. Nicholas Day without Barriers”. 03.12.2022
On December 3, we organized a „Santa Claus Without Barriers” meeting, filled with wonderful people, wonderful children, positive energy, good emotions and surprises for everyone. And all this took place in the unique spaces of Arteneum and the Świt Cultural Center.
At our invitation, many mothers, fathers and guardians of people with disabilities and their children from Ukraine and Poland came. Of course, our old friends and their children were there.
The elderly could prepare cosmetics for themselves and their children for daily care, spend time talking, drinking coffee and sweeten their time with our delicacies. The children decorated gingerbread together, decorated the Christmas tree, danced and had fun in the best company. Santa Claus hasn’t forgotten that children are waiting for gifts. Nobody left empty-handed. Well, maybe just an elf with an empty bag.
The Workshop: Another workshop in the series "Fit Workshops HEALTHY AND FITNESS for caregivers of people with disabilities". 26.11.2022
Once again, the workshops were led by Marlena Jastrzębska, a personal trainer, a lover of healthy eating and all forms of activity, but above all one of us, the mother of Wiktoria with a disability. She guaranteed us an activity tailored to each participant, delicious snacks and a wonderful atmosphere.
Fit Workshops HEALTHY AND FITNESS for caregivers of people with disabilities is another Saturday spent together with energetic and eager GIGAendorfin moms behind us.
We are glad that there are still new participants eager for the strength that comes from activity. Once again, constructive but also emotional conversations took place over nutritious food. We will continue to share good energy with you, teach you a healthy approach to nutrition, spend time together and develop our friendships.
Ps. The joy of the Giganci Foundation is even greater because some faces show smiles at the progress of their activity and satisfaction with the resulting changes in thinking and approach to their needs. To sum up: our next Fit Workshops HEALTHY AND FITNESS for caregivers of people with disabilities are behind us. Was happening…
There were new stories, new energetic mothers.
We love running, we love sharing endorphins with you. Marlena Jastrzębska, as always, extremely professional and at the same time „ours”.
We understand each other without unnecessary words.
We are listening to you and we promise that during our workshops we will learn to find energy and power together. Not only from running.
We have lots of ideas. For you, for us!
The Workshop: Another workshop from the series "Fit Workshops - Together for GIGA-ENDORPHINS for Caregivers of People with Disabilities - we are back after the holidays". 22.10.2022
Long-awaited workshops with Marlena Jastrzębska – our trainer, a lover of healthy eating, all forms of activity, and above all – one of us – the mother of Wiktoria with a disability. At our foundation classes, as always, the activity is adapted to each participant, delicious snacks and a great atmosphere.
Interestingly, during these workshops most of us did not know each other before, but the time allocated for conversations was significantly extended. We just felt good together. However, this did not mean that our activity did not take place at all. This could not be missing. In addition to training under the watchful eye of Marlena Jastrzębska, the group received many tips that they will certainly use in everyday situations, such as standing (unfortunately) in a queue to the cash register. Probably also girls (there were no men this time, but…) with the slogan: „Zip up…” they will know what to do.
We finished the workshop with proper hydration, an energy cocktail was ideal for this, and nutrition, i.e. hummus, cookies, sandwiches and cake with good ingredients, although without a gram of sugar, in quantities adequate to the work done together. It was delicious! Everything was prepared by us personally.
Pleasant! Active! Tasty!
The Workshop: Workshops from the series “Fit Workshops for Carers of People with Disabilities”. 25-26.06.2022
This was the first meeting in the series “Fit Workshops for Caregivers of People with Disabilities”.
Despite the fact that the temperatures were very high these days, there were brave mothers, not only in everyday life, who decided to do something for themselves. Actively spent time and awareness of good nutrition of the body is a certain „investment” for the parent/guardian of a person with a disability.
The workshops were led by our foundation sports mentor Marlena Jastrzębska – a personal trainer and mother of a disabled child. These classes are not only about shared activity, delicious food and casual conversations, but also about satisfying your curiosity: can we find really healthy and tasty meals on our plates? And can movement become a pleasure, or even a daily routine?!
This is what our foundation colleagues write after training with Marlena – our trainer:)
“Thank you Marlena. It was time well spent.
You remind us how to lose stress, how to find energy, how to mobilize ourselves when it seems that we have run out of strength. I know that not everyone used to like PE as much as we do. But we feel that we want to share our passion, the joy of working on one’s physical fitness, the satisfaction with the results with the carers of people with disabilities. We want to promote a healthy lifestyle and nutrition. We feel that they need it. Sometimes a little encouragement is enough to get back to your favorite sports. We will support you. We are determined.”
The Workshop: Workshops from the series "Free Saturday, Free Sunday - Krav Maga workshops - self-defense". 21.05.2022
The classes were led by Marcin Pęksa – he has been training in combat sports for 6 years – Krav Maga (green belt), boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. On a daily basis, he is an IT project manager in an investment bank and fights with corporate sparring partners, where martial arts are unfortunately only partially useful. In private, he is a father of almost 12-year-old twins, couples – a boy and a girl. They develop completely differently and are completely different. My son has childhood autism and my daughter is a real spark and daddy’s little girl.
He likes to take pictures of his children, because photography is also his passion/hobby. Marcin presented one of the well-known and currently very popular martial arts, Krav Maga, during his classes – a sport available for women and men, and even for children. He divided his workshops into theoretical and practical parts. It was serious, but also funny at times. Of course, all the exercises were adapted to the individual capabilities of each participant.
Krav Maga, literally „close combat”, is the art of self-defense. The second aspect of this sport is „hand-to-hand combat”, a more advanced stage of Krav Maga. However, during the classes we focused on the art of self-defense. Krav Maga is an excellent functional training for anyone who values values such as safety, health and relaxation. For us, caregivers of people with disabilities, it was perfect training.
The Workshop: Workshops from the series "Free Saturday - Emotions, working with emotions, what they mean to us". 23.04.2022
The meeting was led by Natalia Przybylska, creator of the Pasja Rozwoju space, therapist, trainer of psychosocial skills, trainer of people in crisis. Volunteer and social activist running the Club of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum RAZEM LATWIEJ.
First of all, we learned that each emotion has a specific survival function in our lives. Even though we welcome some emotions with greater openness (joy, excitement, pride) and some we would like to avoid (fear, sadness, anger), none of them are better or worse. Each carries important information (be careful! think! act! fight! avoid!) and releases the energy necessary to take action. Therefore, we should accept every emotion with attention and give it an outlet. What is worth working on, however, is the way of experiencing, expressing and acting under their influence. While the emotion itself is not good or bad, our behavior as a result of it can be constructive or destructive.
A large dose of theoretical, but most importantly, practical knowledge. For us, parents of people with disabilities, this is a special topic with unique children.
The Workshop: Workshops from the series "Free Saturday, Free Sunday - Tai Chi workshops". 26-27.03.2022
The „Chi Kung Spine” workshop was conducted by Leszek Rowiński – 1st degree Tai Chi instructor at Mariusz Sroczyński’s TAI CHI Taijiquan School.
Classes for everyone, including beginners – regardless of fitness. We tried something new, different and incredibly inspiring. Tai Chi is the art of self-improvement through learning to control your own body and mind. For the modern man, who often leads a sedentary lifestyle, it is an interesting and original, and at the same time safe form of physical recreation, which can be practiced by people of different ages and physical abilities. For us – carers of people with disabilities – it was a bull’s eye. This is what we needed!
The Workshop: Workshops from the series "Free Saturday, Free Sunday - FLAMENCO dance workshops". 20-21.11.2021
The workshops were led by Dominika Kupniewska – a talented dancer, choreographer and flamenco dance instructor. As always, the classes were for everyone, including beginners – regardless of fitness. The participants – guardians of people with disabilities – were to dress appropriately to the nature of the workshop: a long skirt, shoes with thick soles, perfect for tapping.
Thanks to our trainer, it was a great time, with a lot of laughter and positive energy. She told us about the history of the dance, its origins, traditions. She also shared her stories and experiences related to this artistic dance, FLAMENCO. We managed to learn the basic steps, and we also allowed ourselves to freely improvise this dance, in the form of fun – as native Spaniards. OLE!
The Workshop: Workshops from the series "Free Saturday, free Sunday - dancing with fans, yoga, relaxation." 23-24.10.2021
A fantastic artist – Sylwia Morkiewicz-Piekarska, especially for the Giganci Foundation, led an interesting relaxation workshop combined with a presentation of a combat dance with fans. Participants – parents/guardians of people with disabilities had the opportunity to relax, try new activities. The classes were intended for everyone – regardless of their condition. During them, we gave each other kindness, warmth and smiles. It was a magical time of peace and relief.
All participants brought a small item to the workshops that they are emotionally attached to, e.g. a talisman, a drawing, a rin
The Workshop: Workshops from the series "Free Saturday, Free Sunday - Dreams of caregivers". This is the first workshop inaugurating the activities of the Giganci Foundation, which involves providing support to parents/guardians of people with disabilities. 25-26.09.2021
These workshops reminded the participants – carers of people with disabilities – that we can, and even should, dream, and most importantly, fulfil our dreams, both small and large, those that are easy to achieve, but also those that are deeply hidden within us.
This beautiful experience gave us moments of joy, smiles and a break from everyday duties, routine and problems.
The Workshop: First internal workshop of the Giganci Foundation from the series – “Painting Letters – Name and Logo of the Foundation”. 30.05.2021
Art classes were conducted for us by artist Sylwia Morkiewicz-Piekarska in her atelier.
We had a great time!
The classes required concentration and concentration, but they also greatly relaxed us.
By painting and decorating the letters, the workshop participants finally sealed the establishment of the Foundation 🙂