\u20ac1.4 million respite centre for persons with disabilities inaugurated in Kirkop<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Inspire Foundation has been entrusted with managing the services at Spalla.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The facility is large enough to accommodate up to 12 people at once.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Each person staying in this building will have a multidisciplinary team of professionals present to monitor their progress.<\/p>\n
Aġenzija Sapport will also continuously monitor the services being offered in order to maintain high quality standards.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
She said that through Spalla, the government is opening doors to more opportunities, choices, and more dignity for persons with disabilities.<\/p>\n
She also mentioned the importance for no person to be left behind and to continue offering people with disabilities “real support.”<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
The building name, “Spalla,” was selected after an exercise done with fourth-year secondary students at St. Benedict’s College in Kirkop.<\/p>\n
The Ministry said that this was carried out so that the local community also forms part of this project.<\/p>\n
Aġenzija Sapport’s chief executive Oliver Scicluna referred to this project as another link within his agency’s chain of offered services.<\/p>\n
Kirkop Mayor Matthew Agius Zammit was also present for this inauguration.<\/p>\n