Twenty-two users from the Day Centres for Psychosocial Rehabilitation of Gran Canaria competed in Vecindario in the XXII Chess Tournament, organised with the Chess Club of Vecindario Gran Canaria.
The Day Centres for Psychosocial Rehabilitation (CDRPS) of Gran Canaria held the twenty-second edition of their chess tournament in Vecindario, in the municipality of Santa Lucía de Tirajana, last weekend. The competition, which took place at the headquarters of the Ansite Neighbourhood Association, brought together twenty-two players from different centres across the island.
The tournament, which has been held since 2014, is part of a project promoted by the La Caja de Canarias Foundation and is supported by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria and the Santa Lucía de Tirajana City Council. Additionally, the Chess Club of Vecindario Gran Canaria provided technical support for the development of the competition.
After several rounds, the winner of this edition was a user from the CDRS of Telde, while the runner-up belongs to the CDRPS of Casa del Mar, and the third place is a user from the CDRPS of Vecindario. The organisers highlighted the high level of play and sportsmanship shown by all participants.
The CDRPS emphasise that such activities have a very positive impact on people with severe psychiatric disorders, as chess stimulates cognitive abilities such as concentration, memory, and planning, while also fostering social interaction and self-esteem.
“The tournament is not only a competition but an opportunity for users to integrate into community spaces and share experiences with others,” said sources from the organisation.
The Day Centres for Psychosocial Rehabilitation of Gran Canaria are socio-healthcare facilities dependent on the Social Care Institute of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria and the Mental Health Network of the Canary Health Service. Their aim is to provide comprehensive care to people with severe mental disorders, promoting recovery, improving quality of life, and social participation.
In recent years, the CDRPS have promoted an inclusive line of work, involving children, young people, and the elderly from the community in their activities, beyond the group of people with disabilities. This cross-cutting vocation seeks to break down stigmas and promote coexistence.
The celebration of the chess tournament is part of this strategy of openness and normalisation. The organisers are already working on the next edition, intending to continue expanding participation and consolidating this annual event in the community activities calendar of the island.
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