Sharing Lives offers opportunities where volunteers together with persons with disabilities, especially for those who have little or no support, to:
- share experiences
- create social interactions
- befriend persons with disabilities
- lead and/or participate to create projects and activities
The befriending aspect of the service helps in initiating dialogue and collaboration between persons with disability and mainstream society. It gives the opportunity for persons with disability to take part in events and activities and overcome social exclusion while developing meaningful relationships.
Group activities are mostly organised by volunteers or inspired by the interests of persons with disabilities who are members of Sharing Lives. These include picnics, theatre outings, sports, music, arts, live-ins, bowling, treks, information and educational sessions etc.
Persons with disabilities benefitting from the Sharing Lives service are accompanied by Sharing Lives professional/s and/or volunteers. Volunteers are provided training by the Sharing Lives professionals.
Jonathan Calleja, Member
“Sharing Lives is something nice, because it allows us to meet and help each other. Apart from the youth group, we did a clean up, crafted a crib together and carried out voluntary work with horses. I feel very good during these activities. I enjoy it. I even enjoyed the time we sang. This was when we donated the crib that we did together to the priests. I really enjoyed it. Such experiences make you satisfied, when you help people. I enjoy it that we meet with friends. It’s something really special that every week we have something different to do. I learnt a lot of things. I learnt about photography, about the importance of recycling, how to take care of our environment.”
