A seminar providing information gathered by FSWS employees through two Leonardo Da Vinci mobility programmes awarded, which were awarded to the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) through the National Agency and European Programme Agency (EUPA), concluded last Friday.
The seminar was held at the New Dolmen Hotel in Qawra and various Maltese and foreign beneficiaries attended.
Personal Development Co-ordinator Claire Meenehan and Training and Development Coordinator Ms. Lorraine Thompson, both from Irish organisation Include Youth Belfast, said that it was beneficial for Maltese professionals to visit their organisation.
The beneficiaries made an effort to identify which practices would work best for the services provided in Malta. They had the chance to compare their services with those provided at Include Youth and thus gathered a number of ideas that can now be used in Malta to enforce their service provision.
It was concluded that a good service is being provided, with the help of very skilled and motivated professionals. However, they noticed that both the professionals and young people that make use of these services can benefit more if additional resources are available. This can make a difference not only to those young people who feel the need to be more involved within society, but also to society in general.
Regional Services Manager from Mencap UK, Jessie Matthews, noted the enthusiasm the beneficiaries showed during their visit, to learn new things and implement new practices in Malta.
Ms Matthews said that this conference served as a foundation with which to start looking at more independent practices and improve the rights of those with disabilities.
From her visit in Malta, Ms Matthews could see that the professionals working with persons with a disability are really focused and dedicated to their work and strive to improve the lives of their clients.
Ms. Matthews further commented that Malta, with its particular characteristics and community, must work harder to improve facilities for disabled people.
FSWS president Frans Borg closed the seminar.