In the Mid-Sixties, having a mentally disabled daughter or son was synonym for internment. Put into this context, a small group of parents of Manresa initiated a meeting point for families with a mentally disabled member, an initiative which would become the very beginning of AMPANS, an entity created with the idea to give a public and social dimension to mentally disabled persons as well as working towards a normal social integration for this people. The first location was at the Héroes Manresanos street and in collaboration with two instructors. The following class room for boys and girls was opened in the Cintaires street number 8.
On the second of November 1965 AMPANS presented their statutes which were formally recognized on the 27th of May 1966.
Initially two pupils were registered at the first Cintaires street class room, called since then the Centre de Profunds La Llum (Centre for Profound disabled persons The Light). The institution was founded as a modest but very motivated entity. The next step was the opening of a canteen at the centre La Llum, in 1967 the first holiday camps were organized at the Cerverols country house.
In the first years, it’s worth to highlight the support of the called “Ladies Committee” who managed to collect the necessary funds to organize prize draws, raffles, shows... The first AMPANS chairman was Joan Calatayud.
