Agenzija Sapport

In August 2001, the Supported Living Division was set up within the Foundation for Social Welfare Services under the Ministry for Social Policy. The aim of the division was to establish principles and values to provide services to persons with disability from birth till 60 years of age and to their families. The main strategy adopted was to provide people having a disability with support rather than care when it was required, so that they would be able to achieve independence to the best of their ability and continue living within the community. The Division became known as Aġenzija Sapport in February 2003 and became autonomous in April 2016 through a Legal Notice (L.N. 104 of 2016). Agenzija Sapport aims is to enhance the quality of life of persons with disability through innovative personalised support, expertise, and advocacy. Thus, it offers varied services to the mentioned target group such as services from social workers and allied professionals, community and residential services, day centre services and Sharing Lives. Sharing Lives is led by the belief that persons with disability have a right to live a full life as any other individual in society. In fact, Sharing Lives is concerned about the quality of life of persons with disability and aims to facilitate access to activities in the community; enhance the social network of people with disability; initiate dialogue and collaborations between people with disability and mainstream society.