A space to rediscover serenity, trust and a future.
Villa Bella is an association project based in Varzi, in the province of Pavia, Italy, offering free psychological and educational support for mothers and children affected by trauma and PTSD through an integrated holistic approach.
Recent global crises and ongoing wars in countries such as Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan and Ethiopia, to name a few, and in critical territories such as Israel, have caused significant trauma in a growing number of mothers and children, including the most severe condition, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There is an urgent need for dedicated alternatives to traditional structures that, away from war and crisis zones, offer not only accommodation but also a professional holistic programme to address these invisible wounds
Our mission
Our mission
To provide a safe refuge and intensive educational and psychological support to mothers and children who are or have been affected by PTSD over the past three years in crisis and war zones, facilitating their emotional recovery
What we want to do
What we want to do
Villa Bella, a charitable third-sector association, will establish a secular and non-political reception centre offering a completely free short-term accommodation model (two to three months) and a professional support and therapy programme for guests aimed at reducing PTSD and strengthening resilience
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Villa Bella, a charitable third-sector association, will establish a secular and non-political reception centre offering a completely free short-term accommodation model (two to three months) and a professional support and therapy programme for guests aimed at reducing PTSD and strengthening resilience. It will also provide hospitality (travel to and from the facility with free all-inclusive stays lasting 2–3 months for mothers and their children) and pre/post-stay management (through collaboration with Consulates, Embassies, Hospitals, non-profit organisations and humanitarian associations in the countries from which guests will come, for the management of passports, entry visas, medical documentation, and insurance for property, real estate and persons). For the management and, in many cases, treatment of PTSD, the scientific community is testing psychotherapeutic approaches for groups of patients assisted by MDMA and psilocybin. While we are not opposed to the use of psychoactive pharmaceutical substances, we firmly believe that the programme developed with our professionals, in a naturally relaxing and regenerative environment and without the aid of psychotropic drugs, will be of valuable help to our guests in regaining serenity and control
Who we are
Who we are
Dr Barbara Farina, who holds a degree from the University of Milano-Bicocca in Education and Training Sciences and is completing a master’s degree in Educational Sciences, currently works as an educator at the well-known Milanese charitable institution “La piccola casa del rifugio”. She will manage clinical support and act as coordinator for psychologists and educators dedicated to individual and group therapies
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Dr Barbara Farina, who holds a degree from the University of Milano-Bicocca in Education and Training Sciences and is completing a master’s degree in Educational Sciences, currently works as an educator at the well-known Milanese charitable institution “La piccola casa del rifugio”. She will manage clinical support and act as coordinator for psychologists and educators dedicated to individual and group therapies. The professionals employed will be Italian native speakers and bilingual professionals, in order to interact with guests from the same country of origin and in the same language spoken during each stay.
Alessandro Gianfortuna, a multilingual professional in the telecommunications field and an experienced commercial manager in import/export across more than thirty countries worldwide, will oversee relations, logistics, service staff management, reception and guest management
Villa Bella
Villa Bella
Villa Bella is a charitable association with its operational headquarters in a historic four-storey building of 125 square metres per floor, located in one of the most beautiful and peaceful areas of the Oltrepò Pavese, one of the few areas with a nearby hospital, specifically in Varzi (province of Pavia), just 90 km from Milan
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Villa Bella is a charitable association with its operational headquarters in a historic four-storey building of 125 square metres per floor, located in one of the most beautiful and peaceful areas of the Oltrepò Pavese, one of the few areas with a nearby hospital, specifically in Varzi (province of Pavia), just 90 km from Milan. The building has no cadastral discrepancies and is currently to be renovated with green solutions. It will be fully equipped with a spa in the basement; a reception, a large multipurpose area, a kitchen and an accessible bedroom with bathroom on the ground floor; four bedrooms, each with a bathroom, on the first floor; and technical rooms (laundry, ironing room), a bedroom with bathroom and a lounge on the second floor. The large ground-floor hall will serve as a breakfast/lunch/dinner room and as a space for individual and group therapies, as well as a conference room equipped with a large screen. During their free time, guests will be offered opportunities for relaxation and leisure both in the spa, equipped with a jacuzzi, sauna, sensory shower and massage area provided by local professionals, and in the outdoor swimming pool during the summer. Children will be cared for by dedicated staff and involved in recreational activities
The outdoor area includes approximately 20,000 square metres of surrounding privately owned land, always sunny, to be planted and dedicated to therapeutic and recreational activities, including an outdoor swimming pool and an additional adjoining bungalow-style structure with a kitchen, changing rooms and accessible bathrooms.
For all guests, thanks to collaboration with specialised local companies, activities will include horse riding, meditation, yoga, controlled breathing, pet therapy, astronomical observation, gardening, walking and cycling along the Greenway, a fully paved and flat cycle path extending 35 km from Varzi to Voghera, as well as guided visits to beautiful nearby villages such as Fortunago, Zavattarello and Golferenzo
Expected impact
Expected impact
The project aims to interrupt the cycle of trauma by offering a safe, peaceful and at the same time stimulating environment. The objective is to provide mothers with tools to minimise and, where possible, overcome PTSD and to give children mindfulness tools useful for managing flashbacks and intrusive memories
Donations
Donations
We need your help. Support the Villa Bella project through a credit card donation or by bank transfer. Donations made through traceable payment systems may benefit from the tax relief provided by law.
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We need your help. Support the Villa Bella project through a credit card donation or by bank transfer. Donations made through traceable payment systems may benefit from the tax relief provided by law. The amount may be deducted from total income or deducted from gross tax when filing the tax return. A concrete way to increase your social impact while optimising your tax burden. Request your donation receipt and become our sponsor
Credit card donation
The link to the card payment system will be added when the association’s payment service becomes available.
Bank transfer
Bank details will be added to this section before final publication.
Contact
Contact
We are in Varzi, in the province of Pavia, approximately 90 km from Milan, Italy. For all information, please email [email protected]
