Throughout the years that Agenzija Appogg has been offering services to society, it has developed ways of enhancing the quality of its services for the good of those who need them. Interestingly, in an agency that comprises nearly 30 services, most of which are specialised, two services are run mainly by volunteers, with the support and guidance of professional staff.

Supportline 179 and Programm Ulied Darna, give a different dimension to service provision, in that the service is offered through people who, though they may not have a professional background, are ready to offer their free time, their genuine support and care, as well as their skills. They are perceived by service users as friends, as somebody trustworthy and helpful. Although professionals do build trustworthy relationships with the service users, the relationship that volunteers offer is unequalled and may be very beneficial to those receiving their support.

The agency ensures proper selection, professional training and support for all those people who, through the goodness of their heart, are willing to care for people who are passing through difficult moments.

We firmly believe that, while giving others time and care, one receives great value and worth that is difficult to measure. The gratitude and appreciation received, in little gestures and smiles, make voluntary work worthwhile and add meaning to one’s life. The training received and the experiences gained are an opportunity to broaden one’s horizons and even develop personally.

The agency welcomes those who feel that they can contribute voluntarily in whatever way that they can.

Supportline 179

Supportline 179, a service offered by Agenzija Appogg, is the national helpline that is offered free of charge to anyone who is going through a difficult moment. Confidential emotional support is provided 24 hours a day to people of any age who are going through a crisis, a period of distress, feel upset or just want to talk to someone.

Supportline 179 provides a listening service in a confidential manner and assists callers and professionals in crisis situations such as domestic violence, child abuse, suicide, homelessness, rape; it also refers individuals who require further assistance both within and outside Agenzija Appogg.

Supportline 179 is accessible from any land line. It is also accessible from a pay phone or any other public telephone. All phone calls are answered by trained volunteers, who are also continuously guided and supported by a team of professional social workers. Currently, there are 80 volunteers who make themselves available throughout the day and night in order to be able to answer all phone calls received.

Supportline 179 has been operating continuously since 15 January 1996, through the hard work and commitment of volunteers and staff. In its 11 years of service, it has received around 22,000 phone calls every year.

When can I use Supportline 179?

People call Supportline 179 for completely different and individual reasons. Supportline 179 assists people who:

•are going through a rough patch, and need to be listened to,

•have a difficulty and would like to be assisted,

•feel alone and would like to talk to someone,

•are being abused and require assistance,

•know someone who is being abused, and would like to acquire more information on how to be of help,

•would like to obtain more information about any particular service,

•are facing a crisis and need guidance and assistance.

Programm Ulied Darna

Programm Ulied Darna is a service within Agenzija Appogg in which trained volunteers, under the guidance of professional staff, offer time, skills, friendship, information and practical help to facilitate the life of families who are facing certain difficulties, in their own homes, in order to promote the enjoyment of family life.

Programm Ulied Darna offers a voluntary service for parents who have limited understanding of the needs of their children or who, through hardships or lack of support, may have experienced difficulties in bringing up their children. Such parents will have the opportunity to develop new relationships and acquire new ideas and skills that lead to renewed interest in their children and to an improved response to their needs. This will undoubtedly improve the relationships between parents and children, thus increasing the well-being of the family.

The name Programm Ulied Darna acknowledges the importance of supporting parents, primarily in their own homes, to create long-term benefits both for the entire family, and for the children in particular.

The main aim of the group of services offered within Programm Ulied Darna is to build on the parent as the sustaining and nurturing agent, and to consider the home as the principal background in the child’s life, with volunteers offering their service in diverse programmes of support suiting the needs of particular families.

Programm Ulied Darna offers three different sub-programmes, namely Progett Flimkien, Progett Hsibt Fik and Progett Tereza. The objective of Progett Flimkien is to encourage the development of parenting through examples and through working directly with parents in their own homes while addressing their parental concerns. Trained volunteers support and encourage parents through weekly home visits and show them how they can help their children develop their potential.

Another aim of this programme is to promote the overall development of children both physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually.

Volunteers help to provide a particular climate for discussion about parenting issues such as play, be-haviour management and relationships with children, with the ultimate aim of enriching the lives of the children in the family.

They also help parents gain confidence to avail themselves of other re-sources within the community and which can give them encouragement and support in bringing up their children.

Progett Hsibt Fik provides services which cater for children’s needs and indirectly supports both their family and their carers. The aim is to offer practical help and support such as:

• transportation of service users,

•child minding devices,

•accompaniment of parents and carers,

•homework assistance,

•mentoring and companionship for children

•respite services,

•activities and outings for children.

Progett Tereza provides practical help to families. Its aim is to cater for the various material needs of families and individuals in difficulty. Volunteers within Progett Tereza offer their help in the sorting and storing of donations, the delivery of goods, the matching of requests to donations and in the checking of the quality of the donations which are received from the general public. Requests for aid are made to Progett Tereza, following assessments by professional workers of identified families.

In its every aspect, Programm Ulied Darna complements the work done by professionals and adds value to preventive services.

Getting involved in

voluntary work

Agenzija Appogg facilitates opportunities for volunteers within several services offered to children, adults and families. More details and an application form can be downloaded from the website: www.appogg.gov.mt.

Alternatively, one can call Agenzija Appogg for details. Deadline for applications is next Wednesday.

An information meeting about voluntary work will also be held tomorrow at Agenzija Appogg, 36, St Luke’s Road, G’Mangia. The meeting will be held at 10am and will be repeated at 6pm, for the convenience of those interested in getting more details about getting involved in voluntary work.

Those interested in attending any of these meetings are kindly requested to call on 2295-9000, or on Supportline 179 to confirm their attendance.

Article provided by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services