Students Given Opportunity To Name New Respite Building In Ħal Kirkop

Year 10 students from St Benedict College, Pawl Saydon Secondary School in Ħal Kirkop took part in an interactive session on the disability sector in Malta, where they were given the opportunity not only to share their thoughts and ideas on inclusion and services for persons with disabilities, but also to take part in the process of choosing the name of a new project set to open soon in the same village.

The Minister for Inclusion and Voluntary Organisations, Julia Farrugia, explained that the project involves an investment of €1.4 million and includes a new community building in Ħal Kirkop. The facility will offer temporary respite services for up to 12 people at a time, transitional services to support persons with disabilities in developing independent living skills, and individual programmes based on detailed professional assessments by the Agenzija Sapport.

The service will be run in collaboration with a voluntary organisation and will be based on the principle of active support, ensuring that persons with disabilities are actively involved in daily life and reach the highest possible level of independence. A multidisciplinary team of professionals will monitor individual progress to ensure each person achieves their goals in line with their personalised plan, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

During the activity, students also proposed possible names for the new facility as part of an initiative encouraging youth participation in community decisions.

Students and school representatives said the experience made them feel included and listened to, while emphasising the importance of inclusion and community involvement. The local council of Ħal Kirkop also attended the session, and the minister praised the students for their awareness and sensitivity towards disability inclusion, highlighting the project as an important step for the southern region of Malta and for strengthening independent, dignified living for persons with disabilities.

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Photo Source: MIV