Members of Diagrama Foundation visited San Patrignano in Rimini in the hopes of learning new ways of working with substance misusers and offenders through the creation of social enterprises.

This past June, Diagrama visited San Patrignano; a community that welcomes those suffering from drug addiction and marginalization and helps them to once again find their way towards an independent lifestyle. Since its creation, San Patrignano has welcomed over 20,000 people to its community in Rimini (Italy), offering them a home, legal and medical assistance and the opportunity to study and learn a trade. The organisation works toward helping people turn their life around and return to being fully respected and responsible members of society.

During the visit, Diagrama had the opportunity to learn about all the different businesses that have been created over the years, as well as the rehabilitation programme and the way in which San Patrignano works as an organisation. There was also the chance to get together and discuss the differences and similarities in practice between the UK and Italy.

All in all, it was a very successful visit that left the visitors with much to think about, and are hoping to be able to work on a project together some time in the near future.