Aġenzija Sapport has received a Mark of Quality from the European Union Programming Agency for the European Solidary Corps for its Sharing Lives service, through which the agency has accommodated and facilitated opportunities with voluntary organisations.

The European Solidarity Corps is an initiative led by the European Commission through which youths in different countries can participate in different social experiences in their own country and in other countries.

Through this Mark of Quality, Aġenzija Sapport will have access to a system where it can promote its opportunities to these youths, and therefore increase its chances of attracting participants from different countries to experience Malta, particularly through the Sharing Lives service.

Being granted such a mark means that the agency went through a rigorous application and assessment process so that as an entity it has a quality structure which already works towards the inclusion of people with disability in society.

Other criteria, such as a strong training and supervision system for both workers and for volunteers, were also considered.

The Mark is valid for the upcoming three years, and Aġenzija Sapport said that it will be committed to organising and creating a number of activities and opportunities every year involving participants from the European Solidarity Corps.

Aġenzija Sapport will also be applying for the co-financing of some programmes by the European Union and forming new collaborations with other international entities.

The aim of Sharing Lives is to create opportunities for volunteers and people with disability to share their experiences and create social contact, particularly for those people with disabilities where support is limited or non-existent.

Volunteers organise social activities and develop friendships with people with disabilities, thereby growing the support circle of people with disability and increasing their accessibility to cultural activities within the community.

Inclusion minister Julia Farrugia Portelli expressed her satisfaction at Aġenzija Sapport’s recognition, and said that it must serve as motivate to continue working together to offer quality services and a better life for those who need it most.

For more information about Sharing Lives and Aġenzija Sapport’s other services, one can visit the website www.sapport.gov.mt or follow the agency’s social media platforms.  More details can also be found through calling the agency’s helpline on 153 (and then pressing 5) or by email on [email protected].