The community hub service in the North of Malta for the disabled, which was an nounced in this year’s budget, will take place in Tal-Virtù, Rabat, as soon as the Sunflower Community Hub has been identified which is being built with an investment of almost half a million euros over a period of five years.
This was announced at a press conference by the Minister for Inclusion, Quality of Life and Volunteering Julia Farrugia Portelli, who explained that objective number 10 of the National Strategy for People with Disabilities, which establishes that where possible people with disabilities should live as independently as possible in our communities.
Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli explained that by the end of this year, the Sunflower Community Hub will serve as the first community hub in Malta where people with disabilities can receive specialized training on various aspects related to share with independent living.
The building is ready and only works are left to make this place more accessible and adequate for people with disabilities who will be benefiting from this service, including those with mobility difficulties. The site plans have already been submitted to the Planning Authority with proposals on how to arrange them according to the requirements of the service.
At the same time, preparations are underway to purchase, among other things, furniture so that the place is equipped and equipped with all the necessary facilities according to the needs of the service and the disabled.
This project will help Aġenzija Sapport to deliver independent living programs to people with disabilities who use the services in the community, especially those who for particular reasons, will not be able to receive these programs in home.
The project is expected to benefit 40 people with disabilities who will be given the chance to acquire new skills and be able to live independently in the communities where they were raised.
The Chief Executive Officer of Aġenzija Sapport, Ruth Sciberras, referred to this project as a model that will give a new concept in the field of providing community-based services to people with disabilities in Malta.
“This investment will not only be made in the building from where we will be delivering this training on independent living, but it will also be an investment in the people themselves because through these sessions in this accessible environment and modern, they will be learning new skills that will enable them to live inclusive in the community. ”
Permanent Secretary Matthew Vella said that it is important to always put the person at the center of the work done so that he can exploit his potential and achieve his aspirations and dreams. He praised the work of the Support Agency in the concrete implementation of the National Strategy for People with Disabilities and said that through this hub, people with disabilities will be able to continue living in the their respective communities while being independent.
Rabat Mayor Sandro Craus praised the work being done by Aġenzija Sapport and the government to carry out such projects which are truly inclusive, while saying that the Victoria Local Council will see to it that it is for example for other localities with regard to the inclusion and operation of this local government policy.
Photos (DOI / MIWV)
