SuperSibs are support groups for minors aged between 5 to 11 years of age who have siblings with disability. Through interactive games that are facilitated by experienced social workers within the disability sector siblings of persons with disability have the possibility to connect with others who are going through their same experience, share their difficulties, share their grief of not having their parents' full attention, but most important to build a sense of belonging and not excluded.
Local
Malta
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It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
No
No
Yes
As a representative of an organisation
Name of the organisation(s): Agenzija Sapport Type of organisation: Public authority (European/national/regional/local) First name of representative: Maria Theresa Last name of representative: Aquilina Gender: Female Nationality: Malta Function: Agenzija Sapport is the National Agency for persons with disability in Malta. Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Agenzija Sapport, Triq Patri Gwann Azzopardi Street Town: Santa Venera Postal code: SVR1614 Country: Malta Direct Tel:+356 79454710 E-mail:maria-theresa.a.aquilina@gov.mt Website:https://sapport.gov.mt/en/Pages/default.aspx
SuperSibs was launched following a thorough gap analysis of our current services. The need of a specific service that targets siblings especially of persons with disability was further sustained through the interventions that were carried out by our social work team. Through this analysis and experience it was evident that minors are experiencing a specific broad range of life challenges, traumas and challenges which unfortunately due to gap of available services, such siblings did not have the opportunity to discuss and explore such feelings in further depth.
Subsequent to this the Social Work Team within Agenzija Sapport came up with the notion of SuperSibs. SuperSibs were structured as a set of 7 interactive sessions which were held on 7 consecutive weeks. Through these interactive sessions minors between the age of 5 to 11 had the opportunity to meet with other siblings who are going through the same situations, share difficulties, discuss grief (not having your parents' attention or the concept of having a 'different' sibling, as well as to build a sense of belonging and for some time in their life they had the opportunity to be the main participants and not spectators. Even though these sessions were held in an interactive manner one cannot forfeit the therapeutic aspect that such sessions had. As a fact it was essential to have such sessions facilitated by professionals with years of experience with minors and in the disability sector.
Following these sessions it was noted that a great bond was built between participants and that following such sessions participants maintained this new friendship. This was also sustained by their respective parents who noted that their children enjoyed these sessions and that following these sessions their children realized that they are not on their own and that other children are passing through similar difficulties which minors whose siblings do not have a disability are not experiencing.
Safe
Acceptance
Harmony
Togetherness
Friendship
SuperSibs kicked off in order to offer an alternative for minors to have a safe space to meet other children who are going through the same life experiences. Its purpose is to get minors together, foster a sense of belonging and kick of new friendships. Following the structured interactive sessions that create SuperSibs participants are encouraged to maintain these newly built friendships. Facilitators organize seasonal activities for which past participants are invited and which experience showed us that they are highly needed and looked forward by past participants. Further to this it was also noted that participants maintained such newly built rapports even away from the organized activities. Participants organize other activities such as cinema outings, hikes and also reunions between their families. As a way forward in order to meet service demands and sustainability of this service such initiatives taken by the participants themselves are highly encouraged by the facilitators. Such positive outcomes are the concrete witness of success. SuperSibs sessions created and delivered by Agenzija Sapport can be described in 5 continual phases:
Phase1. Formulate and deliver the SuperSibs sessions,
Phase2. Create new trustworthy relationships,
Phase 3. Encourage sustainability of such relationships,
Phase 4. Monitor continuity through seasonal organized activities,
Phase 5. reset/intervene where needed
and back to phase 1 with the initiation of a new group.
This activity was held in a child friendly environment with ample space that gave space to the planned interactive activities. Given that it was Summer and children were on holidays it was an ideal scenario to have a great turnover for the first group. Eligibility for the activities was only that of siblings (minors aged between 5 to 11 years) who have siblings with disability with no other exceptions being imposed to. The fact that participants were coming from different cultures enriched the experience further. Different cultures, religion and ethnicity was also kept in mind during formulation of these sessions.
For further continuity and attention participants were divided in sub groups, each group incorporated not more than 5 members and all members were of the same age range, mainly 5-8, and 9-11). Members had ample time to participate and facilitators prompted silent/hesitant participants in order to facilitate too. It is important to note that during such activities it could be noted that some participants are more keen on taking the leading role while others are more keen to follow. Facilitators were highly attentive for all details. After each session a reflective sessions was held between facilitators facilitating the session in order to discuss ways of how we can ameliorate coming sessions based on participants feedback. Following termination of the whole program feedback was collated both from the participants as well as from their main givers. Such feedback is essential in order to enhance our current program.
SuperSibs experience showed us that these sessions are a learning curve for both participants and facilitators. Facilitators are better equipped to facilitate further sessions and enhance our current service delivery whilst participants fostered a sense of belonging with others which is maintained even after such sessions.
This initiative was delivered free of charge as such people coming from all strata of the society could access this initiative. Even though this initiative was facilitated and organized by Agenzija Sapport it was open even for those who had never made use/contact with the Agency. In order to reach out as many prospective participants as possible these sessions were advertised on the national media and also with several stakeholders which we liaise with.
With regards to design this project was not something new given that worldwide there are other entities that carry out similar sessions that target same client group yet locally this was something new. It is imperative to note that SuperSibs that are carried out in Malta do not have any association with Sibshops carried out worldwide. The need of such service was further sustained during a gap analysis and from feedback forwarded by the families.
Even though this activity was aimed for siblings of individuals with disability accessibility was still kept in consideration throughout the entire program.
Participants participating in these sessions noted that following such sessions they feel that they are not alone and that they have others with whom they can share their thoughts. Participants noted that prior the sessions they used to feel that it is quiet negative to have a disabled sibling yet after the sessions they realized that from this life event something positive came out and that having a sibling with disability is not so bad after all. Through out the sessions facilitators could notice the huge sense of maturity which participants showed indeed one of the main things that these children unconsciously grief is childhood. Even though still at a young age of 5, emotions and experiences disclosed by participants resembled those of teens. These minors were shouldering difficulties which others at their own age could never imagine. The fact of having a safe place whereas they could share such emotions, meet with others going through the same experiences and most important having the opportunity for a while to act and be a child was the most important aspect of all.
Initially we initiated SuperSibs with the notion of assisting participants in dealing with traumas, losses and experiences yet experience showed us that through SuperSibs we are assisting the entire family of persons with disability. Minors attending the sessions were more equipped to face the aforementioned realities and were in a better position to understand and accept their siblings condition and needs. Parents/Guardians reported that participants were much calmer and attentive to their siblings need and most important that following such sessions the fraternal bonds somehow improved. The person with disability noted that following these sessions they are getting along much better with their siblings and their quality time increased. It seems that a gradual acceptance of the disability occurred and that participants are looking beyond disability and overpassed this barrier.
The location of the venue was highly strategic. Given that the activities were carried out in Summer, an indoor air conditioned premises with enough space for activities was essential. Given that activity was going to be offered for free it was important to keep expenses to a minimum, in fact the premise was offered to us for free through Ronald MCdonald organization in Malta. Different stakeholders assisted us in order to promote the activity infact much of the promotional material was created inhouse, in order to once more minimize expenses incurred. These were later disseminated through our social media and through different stakeholders which we work with.
Although SibShops were delivered by Agency Sapport employees, different stakeholders played a crucial part in the dissemination process.
The main discipline reflected in the development and implementation of this initiative were the social workers working with agency Sapport. Their extensive years of experience working with minors with disabilities and their extended family made all this possible. Through their interventions they collated feedback upon which they constructed the aforementioned groups. From an idea they moved towards the actual groups from which to date a considerable number of minors benefited.
Liaison with our marketing team was also crucial as without their assistance we would never reach out to such a huge number of participants. Deadlines sometimes were quiet tight yet with the contribution of each team we succeed to kick start, and most important maintain.
This support group is specific for minors who have siblings with disability. Other interactive support groups do not target disability as such, 'our' participants feel left out/not understood in such mainstream support groups. Further to this mainstream support groups are not facilitated by facilitators with years of experience and this might lead to lack of awareness on the disability sector. Having such specific groups enhances service delivery.
Following these SuperSibs sessions the need of further support groups to the extended family was felt. Facilitators noted that participants themselves noted that sometimes even their parents are angry and frustrated and that according to them felt the need that such program is extended to their parents. As a fact following these sessions we kicked of support groups with parents of minors with disability which sessions are facilitated by a qualified social worker with years of experience. From further feedback it was noted that support groups specifically for fathers of persons with disability is needed. Such sessions are non existent and will be a first in Malta. Currently the team is exploring this possibility yet it is still at the conceptualization stage.
It would be ideal if the aforementioned process that is that of collating feedback/gap analysis and initiate services to meet perceived gap is replicated within specialized schools. Social workers working with persons with disability who attend Special Resource Schools for persons with disability report that a considerable amount of parents/siblings are at a high risk of burn out. Reports of increased level of anxiety and family disputes due to disability are forwarded too. As to date Special Resource Schools do not have any specialized support groups for siblings/families/parents/guardians but they do offer counselling for the person with disability. It is important to note that research and experience showed us that the main care givers and siblings are at high risk of burn out/family disputes and that support groups lessened the possibility of such instances. Experience showed us that support groups decreased the risk of institutionalization of persons with disability too.
The approach utilized in our initiative was always to keep the client as the key expert. Our approach is always 'nothing about us without us'. Workers working within the field collated feedback from persons with disability and their families, following which the team evaluated such feedback and came forward with the notion of SuperSibs.
It seems that through SuperSibs we started to meet the major presenting need that is that to support ,minor siblings of persons with disability. As an Agency we do acknowledge that we still have a lot to work on and enhance yet the initiation of SuperSibs which were delivered for free created a safe space for such minors to explore/discuss their emotions.
The risk of institutionalization is one of the major concepts that is debated in the UNCRPD and needs to be targeted by all nations. Studies and experience showed that persons with disability are many times seen as obstacles in ones life and instead of exploring other option there is a huge tendency to move towards residences and long respite. Few are those that explore the possibility of having their children/siblings living independently within the community. Through the interactive sessions held during SuperSibs facilitators start to introduce the concept of accepting your sibling disability, assisting your family in the care of the person with disability, and also explore the near future and different options. Given the delicate age of the participants the last topic is delivered with huge sensitivity yet it is important to instill the idea that persons with disability can live independently within the community and that there are services that can assist such individuals to live independently with minimum to no support from their relatives. As such one can lead a normal life without any extra added burden.
Another global challenge is the great level of anxiety that is reported by caregivers. Through these sessions caregivers which in this case are minors are introduced to the important concept of self care and respite. Many people feel that it is their duty to take care of their family who might have certain needs without understanding the importance of self care and respite. One has to understand that it is imperative to take care of oneself prior taking care of others even though they might be our own family.
As mentioned in previous questions results were highly positive and it transpired that through such sessions the whole family benefited. Yet as stated as an Agency we feel that we have a lot to improve in order to enhance our existent sessions. Indeed as an Agency we plan to have these sessions ongoing and be part of the yearly services delivered by the Agency yet as stated already these are delivered for free and we are aiming that they remain for free. Nevertheless resources apart from human resources are limited as such we do envisage that we will require help in order to meet resources required to structure new SuperSibs.
We are also aiming to go a step further and introduce a support group for fathers. Many times the main carer role is taken by the mother however through our interventions and with the cultural changes that are happening it is being noted that care is also being shifted to the fathers. As such we need to target this new need and address this with an adequate support group that targets fathers.
