Hbieb ta’ l-Agenzija Sapport which in English means Friends of the Agency
Support was formed in 2003 on presentation of its statute at the first General Meeting held in March 2003 during which the first Committee was elected and formed. It is mainly formed by parents , guardians and friends of persons who have the interest of the rights and needs of persons with disability at heart.
Our main aims are:
1. To create a communication network between parents, relatives and carers
of disabled persons who benefit from the services of Agency Support that
falls under the Foundation of Social welfare Services.
2. To create a means of communications whereby proposals, complaints,
suggestions and other related points are brought forward in relation to
the functions of Agency Support.
3. Offer support to Agency Support so as to reach the main aims it is
obliged to reach.
4. Create public awareness and interest in the functions of Agency Support
and to all those that make use of their services or need to make use of
such services.
5. To organize educational, social, sporting, cultural and recreational
and other activities in the interest of the Agency. Apart from the
educational aspect, through these activities funds are generated to offer
the needed support according to circumstances of the Agency. Members are
allowed to generate funds (whether on individual basis or as a group) to
support Agency always with the approval of the responsible authority.
6. To make contacts on a national/international level so as the group
develops itself within the Agency for its own benefits and that of the
Agency and all those who benefit from it.
7. That all funds are deposited in Bank account with all legal aspects of
control and dispose of it for the sole benefit of the residents and
clients of the Agency. Assistance is given in kind and not in cash.The committee is made up as follows :
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
2 Members plus 2 persons nominated by Agency Support.
The Friends of Agency Support started as follows : In September 2002 a meeting
was held for parents/relatives/ carers of the Agency Support so as a group is
formed to assist in any way possible. An ad hoc group was formed under my
direction and when statute was formed and all was prepared the first General
meeting was held in 2003. The Friends of Agency Support is legally registered
and slowly gathering momentum with its activities . Before I end this
information I would like to mention in brief what the work of the Agency
Support is :-
For further information on Agency Support one can contact :
francis.ripart@gov.mt
Agency Support provides community and residential services to disabled persons.
Priority is given to persons at risk in the community of being
institutionalized, persons with challenging behaviour and persons of a young
are residing in institutions who would benefit greatly from rehabilitation
within the community. Since its inception in 2001 the Agency has provided a
residential placement for 45 persons in its residences in the community and
another 30 have been approved for placement but at present the necessary
resources are not available to provide the service. Agency also provides
community support to 60 disabled persons living, within their natural family.
Here also the Agency is waiting for more resources so as to expand service. It
provides also a social work service to disabled persons and their families and
a trans disciplinary professional resource team which supports our services in
our residences and in the community.