About Us
YES We Can Organisation is a Cyprus-based non-profit organization dedicated to improving mental health, promoting social inclusion, supporting vulnerable populations, and creating opportunities for meaningful participation in society

Maria Apostolides – Founder, YES We Can Organisation 

Maria Apostolides is the founder of YES We Can Organisation and a qualified Social Worker with extensive experience in mental health, youth work, and community-based social interventions. She coordinates the organisation’s program providing Social Services within the Psychiatric Clinic of Athalassas, where she oversees case management, psychosocial support, and reintegration planning for individuals undergoing psychiatric treatment. She is also responsible for securing and managing funding for the organisation’s projects. With more than 15 years of professional experience, Maria has worked closely with young people and families facing complex challenges, including delinquency, school dropouts, drug and gambling addiction, and behavioral difficulties. Over the past five years, she has also supported children with hearing loss and psychomotor disorders, providing tailored interventions that promote development, inclusion, and emotional wellbeing. Maria has a strong track record in community development, designing and implementing projects in both district and rural areas that promote social inclusion, youth empowerment, and community cohesion. She also works with adults with special needs, supporting them through work placements, social-skills development, and programs that enhance independence and participation in society. In addition to her social-work expertise, Maria is a trained Hippotherapist, with more than 150 hours of practice, integrating therapeutic horse-riding techniques into her work with children and adults to support emotional regulation, physical development, and social engagement.

Dr. Christos Panagiotopoulos 

Dr. Christos Panagiotopoulos is an accomplished academic and leader in the field of social work and child and adolescent mental health. He holds a PhD in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Policy and Practice from the University of Manchester, School of Psychiatry & Behavioural Sciences, as well as an MSc in Psychiatric Social Work from the same institution.

He serves as the Coordinator of the MSc in Social Work and the Director of the MSc in Child Protection.

His academic engagement extends across several institutions: he is a Visiting Professor at the Technological Educational Institution of Crete, within the School of Welfare and Health Sciences; a lecturer in the Master’s programme in Criminal Law and Addiction at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; and a faculty member in the Distance Learning Master’s in Social Work at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus.

Beyond his academic roles, Dr. Panagiotopoulos is the President of the European Association of Schools of Social Work (EASSW), where he contributes to shaping social work education and policy across Europe.


Dr. Gregory Neocleous – Associate Professor of Social Work, University of Nicosia 

Dr. Gregory Neocleous holds a PhD in Social Policy and Social Work from the University of York (UK) and a Master of Science in Social Work. He is an Associate Professor in Social Work at the University of Nicosia, where he teaches and supervises students at undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. His academic focus includes curriculum development, teaching methodologies in social work, and the advancement of professional practice through evidence-based education. Dr. Neocleous supervises research and thesis projects across all levels of study and provides academic guidance as a Personal Tutor to undergraduate students. His work extends to practicum supervision, ensuring that students develop strong professional competencies and ethical practice in real-world settings. He has participated in multiple research projects in the social sciences, contributing to knowledge development in areas such as migration, education, political conflict, and family wellbeing. His research portfolio includes: • “Theory of Change – The use of the art of Rhetoric Speech as an innovative tool in education and training of migrant children in language learning, empowerment, and social integration activities.” • “Stay Home – Social distancing and families during the Covid-19 lockdown: The case of Cyprus.” Dr. Neocleous brings strong academic leadership, methodological expertise, and a deep understanding of social policy and social-work education, making him a valuable contributor to research-driven and practice-oriented projects.