The Albufeira Council received a seal of merit from the Network of Municipalities that Care for Informal Caregivers (RACCI), for the support it gives to around 40 informal caregivers, under the program “Espaço Integrar – De Nós para Nós”.
This recognition stems from the candidacy of this project to the network promoted by the Movimento Cuidar dos Empregos Informais, which brings together dozens of Portuguese associations «that aim to carry out projects capable of helping, in practice, those who care, whether it be a husband, wife, a child, the father or mother", according to the municipality of Albufeira.
«This project by the Municipality of Albufeira was one of those that obtained the best overall evaluations (based on the different criteria set out in the regulation), and may, from now on, use the merit seal during the term of the "Us for Us" that is, until the end of 2023. The jury was made up of a group of representatives of the associations that make up the Movement and who evaluated the 50 applications, of which 24 were recognized with the RACCI seal», he adds.
The “Espaço Integrar”, which is the responsibility of the Municipality and located in Parque Lúdico, “has since 2018 hosted monthly meetings of parents and caregivers of children with disabilities. At the moment, the number of fathers, mothers and caregivers who attend the meetings is around four dozen, and one of the objectives, that of creating a support network among caregivers, has already been achieved».
«There is, at the moment, a very healthy dynamic among informal caregivers that goes beyond these meetings», emphasizes Cláudia Guedelha, the councilor responsible for the area of Social Action.
Albufeira has more than 250 children with physical or neurological problems attending schools, and there are also young adults and children of pre-school age who, not being attending educational establishments, often need support and guidance, which the program “From Us to Us” manages to deliver.
In these meetings, the parents and caregivers of these children and young people can talk about their problems, their doubts and anxieties, exchange experiences and, above all, not feel alone in this arduous task of caring for and educating a child with a disability, who so much attention is required within the family.
«With these meetings, we provide caregivers with information to find out about the rights they have, what services and social supports are available to them, as well as the procedures for accessing them, through the team behind this project. It has been a highly successful project, which needs continuity and the seal of merit that we have now received, proves our good practices with regard to caregivers», added Cláudia Guedelha.
José Carlos Rolo, mayor of Albufeira, considers, for his part, that seeing the projects and efforts of the municipality recognized “is always very pleasant. It also brings us an added responsibility, which is, more than continuing with successful projects, to enhance them even more. This is a very delicate area of our times, which requires a new look and greater attention, and despite the increase in communication, informal caregivers often feel alone».
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