Investment of €350,000 to increase services for persons with disability in Gozo
- The NGO Voice For Inclusion with a place from which to operate and provide an improved service
Aġenzija Sapport is carrying out extensive beautification and structural work at its building in Għajnsielem, Gozo, which has been hosting the agency’s services since 2015. This investment, amounting to around €350,000, aims to improve and expand the spaces from which essential services are provided to persons with disability and their families.
The ongoing works were visited by the Minister for Inclusion and Volunteering Julia Farrugia, in the presence of the Chief Executive Officer of Aġenzija Sapport Oliver Scicluna.
Currently, this location is offering day services as well as accepting applications for various schemes and services related to the disability sector in Gozo. Through the extension that is being made, new services will be added with the aim of providing more assistance to these individuals and their families. In addition, a dedicated space will be created for the NGO Voice for Inclusion, which will be able to operate and provide its services more effectively.
The Executive Chairperson of Voice for Inclusion, Pauliana Said, explained how this project will mean a much improved service for those who work closely with them. “This is a very important project for Gozo, which not only strengthens the services available to people with disabilities, but also ensures that Gozitans are given the same accessibility to services that are currently available in Malta. Focusing on inclusion and equality is essential, and the fact that Voice for Inclusion will have a place to operate from will allow us to continue to work more closely with the community, support people with disabilities and continue to strengthen their voice at every level of society.”
Among the main projects being carried out, independent living facilities (community hub) will also be created where Aġenzija Sapport’s My Programme service will be able to offer individual interventions to persons with disability. This concept is similar to what is already being implemented in Żurrieq and Rabat in Malta.
Thanks to this investment, services in Gozo will continue to be strengthened, including those related to the Blue Badge, European Disability Card, Empowerment Scheme and other vehicle-related schemes.
Minister Julia Farrugia explained the importance of this investment while explaining how the Government will continue to invest whatever is necessary in favour of strengthening inclusion and persons with disability and their families. “The Government is determined to continue to invest as much as necessary to strengthen the disability sector and ensure that every person with disability has the support, opportunities and services they deserve. This investment in Gozo is just one example of a series of projects that we are carrying out to improve the quality of life of these persons and their families. At the same time, we are working to ensure that our society is truly inclusive, where everyone is given the necessary tools to reach their full potential. We are committed to continuing to invest in this sector so that no one feels stopped or marginalized, but is able to live with dignity and autonomy.”
While some of the works have already been completed, such as plastering and painting the ceilings as well as structural alterations, the evaluation process for various tenders is currently underway. The most imminent is the tender for electrical works which aim to improve the building’s electrical infrastructure. This includes the installation of a direct cable from the Enemalta substation, with an estimated investment of €75,000.
Chief Executive Oliver Scicluna explained how after a number of years of operation by the Agency from this location, the Għajnsielem Learning Hub is now considered by Gozitans as the central office of Aġenzija Sapport in Gozo. It is therefore opportune that this site continues to be developed in order to continue to centralise disability services in Gozo while making it easier for the services provided by the Agency in Malta to continue to be replicated in Gozo as well. This is in addition to continuing to strengthen and centralise work in the sector through collaborations with non-governmental entities that affect the same people.
This project is an important step towards offering more modern, efficient and accessible services to persons with disabilities in Gozo, and to continue to strengthen the work of Aġenzija Sapport on this island.
Photos: MIV
