Friends of Agency Support
Address: Nr 8, “Pepprina”, Medlar Avenue, San Gwann SGN 03, Malta
Tel: 21383206
Fax: 21 222856
E-mail: francis.ripard@gov.mt
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.
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.