€1.4 million respite centre for persons with disabilities inaugurated in Kirkop

A new €1.4 million Aġenzija Sapport facility offering respite and transitional services for persons with disabilities was inaugurated in Kirkop on Monday, a government statement said.

The building, named “Spalla,” will offer respite services and transitional services that promote independent living within the heart of community. Operations in this building are set to commence this September.

The Inspire Foundation has been entrusted with managing the services at Spalla.

The Ministry for Inclusion said that this project ticks off another measure announced in the last budget: to provide a respite centre in the south of Malta, so that persons with disabilities and their families can have such services closer to their communities.

The facility is large enough to accommodate up to 12 people at once.

Each person staying here will be individually assessed by Aġenzija Sapport professionals so that each service they are given is tailored to the needs and wishes of the individual.

Each person staying in this building will have a multidisciplinary team of professionals present to monitor their progress.

Aġenzija Sapport will also continuously monitor the services being offered in order to maintain high quality standards.

Inclusion Minister Julia Farrugia said that “this project is further proof of a government that does not just talk about inclusion, but invests in it with concrete action and a long-term vision.”

“With this investment we are creating a modern, safe and dignified space where persons with disability are given more opportunities to live independently in the community, while also giving peace of mind to their families through much-needed respite services,” Farrugia said.

She said that through Spalla, the government is opening doors to more opportunities, choices, and more dignity for persons with disabilities.

She also mentioned the importance for no person to be left behind and to continue offering people with disabilities “real support.”

“We believe in a society where every person has the right to live in the community with support adapted to their needs, and therefore we will continue to invest in modern and person-centred services,” Farrugia said.

The building name, “Spalla,” was selected after an exercise done with fourth-year secondary students at St. Benedict’s College in Kirkop.

The Ministry said that this was carried out so that the local community also forms part of this project.

Aġenzija Sapport’s chief executive Oliver Scicluna referred to this project as another link within his agency’s chain of offered services.

Kirkop Mayor Matthew Agius Zammit was also present for this inauguration.

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