Inclusion, Equality and Social Welfare

Aġenzija Sedqa boasts a fully dedicated team of professionals for its Prevention Services. The team consist of professionals, all graduated within the Faculty of Social Wellbeing. They offer services aimed at informing the general public as well as helping people to lead healthy lifestyles away from addictions. This is done through diverse programmes for different cohorts of the general population.

The main aim of the service is to provide correct, clear, and age-appropriate information about alcohol and substances, as well as gambling and other behaviours that could develop into addictions if left uncontrolled. The prevention service works to adapt its message to the changes in time to offer valid programmes. All programmes and interventions offered by the Prevention Services also aim to give individuals the necessary life skills required in order to live a life that is unburdened by addiction.

Within the educational sector, the Prevention Service offers three main programmes, namely T.F.A.L. 3 (Tfal Favur Ambjent Liberu), T.F.A.L. 5, at the primary level and ‘Teen Outside the Box’ at the secondary level. Children who attend schools at the ages of seven, nine, and twelve participate in programmes aimed to prevent the early onset of addictive behaviours and character building throughout the crucial years before their youth days.

The S.A.F.E. (Skills for Addiction Free Employees) programme is Sedqa’s Prevention intervention at workplaces. Individuals’ substance abuse does not spare their employers and colleagues at work, especially when the addiction affects their productivity. This programme aims to help employees and employers alike to tackle addiction issues and help manage the impact on the workplace while aiming to help workers maintain their employment.

The community outreach part of the service collaborates with entities within the community, including Scout groups, sports nurseries, and youth groups, amongst others. The service organises interactive sessions and workshops that discuss addictions and other character building-related subjects, which can help people avoid substance abuse or addictions. The Prevention service does this dissemination by attending to community-organised events such as those led by local councils.

As explained previously the Prevention Services offer a wide array of programmes and community interventions. Below kindly find what specific level of service will be provided according to the programme or community intervention selected.

T.F.A.L 3 Programme

The T.F.A.L 3 Programme (Tfal Favur Ambjent Liberu) is a prevention programme targeting children in state, independent and church schools around Malta. During this programme six sessions will be delivered to the Year 3 students. The sessions are delivered in an interactive manner with the use of stories and puppets that help make sensitive topics more relatable for children whilst capturing their attention fully. Children are also given an interactive workbook that they can fill in during class so as to keep on reinforcing the concepts that they have been introduced to during class. The topics in this programme include; self-image & feelings, decision making & peer pressure, coping skills, addiction, the private body and asking for help. During the sessions, children also have the opportunity to listen and dance along to a very catchy song about the topic. All songs, as well as more detailed information about this programme can be found on the Aġenzija Sedqa YouTube page called Sedqa Malta.

T.F.A.L 5 Programme

The T.F.A.L 5 Programme (Tfal Favur Ambjent Liberu) is a prevention programme that continues building on the information introduced in the Year 3 programme, now with students in Year 5. This programme is implemented within state, independent and church schools all over Malta and Gozo. During this programme five sessions will be delivered to the Year 5 students. Sessions are delivered in an interactive manner with the help of four characters, their dog Bużu and their stories. Stories are presented in a video format and then discussed with the children afterwards. Moreover, children are also provided with an interactive workbook that can be filled in during class, to once again reinforce the concepts being learnt. Interactive on-line games specifically designed for this programme will also be played in class so they continue practising the topic of the session. The topics in this programme include; self-love & coping skills, peer pressure & decision making, introduction to addictions, drugs & wise use of medicine and wise use of technology & gambling. More detailed information about this programme can be found on the Aġenzija Sedqa YouTube page called Sedqa Malta.

Teen Outside The Box Programme

The Teen Outside the Box programme is a prevention programme aimed at targeting youth in Year 8 of their studies in state, independent and church schools. In state schools, this programme is delivered in collaboration with the Anti-substance Abuse Team as part of the National School Support System. During this programme, students will be receiving three sessions. This programme once again takes the form of a workshop with interactive on-line games and interactive resources specifically designed for the programme and aimed at creating the most engagement in the students attending these sessions. Students are also provided with an interactive booklet that they use during the session as well as take home to continue gaining more detailed information about the topics presented to them in this programme. The topics in this programme include: decision making & coping skills, wise use of technology and addiction. During the session about addiction, youth not only have the opportunity to learn more about substance-use but also about the risks involved in gambling and on-line gaming. More detailed information about this programme can be found on the Aġenzija Sedqa YouTube page called Sedqa Malta.

Other Secondary Interventions

The Sedqa Prevention services also offer session to other cohorts within secondary schools that do not form part of the year 8 cohort. These sessions are done by request from the schools in question and often requested when schools feel that a particular cohort of students would benefit from sessions on a particular topic. Prevention Professionals will create an interactive workshop with various tailor-made resources for the students’ needs so as to reinforce the concepts being discussed.

Sessions with Learning Support Centres

As part of the work offered by the Prevention Services, sessions with Learning Support Centres, in both the primary and secondary level are delivered. These institutions are offered between three to five sessions about various life

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