My Self- My Body related to Goal 3 for Good Health and Well Being

The pilot phase of this project is currently ongoing so we are including the expected results and by when we are expecting them. Quantitative: Aim was for: CPD Accredited Training delivered to 15 professionals – who are now qualified Train the Trainers in this field. This was achieved. Training of 30 individuals with disabilities – however, 19 persons participated in the training. Information sessions for 40 parents’/guardians of the 30 persons with disabilities – however, just 14 participated.The main risk envisaged is that of low participation, mainly due to the taboo associated with the subject matter. In this regard, Inspire has already researched best practices concerning similar initiatives held in other countries, and it transpires that one of the main strategies which help to overcome this risk is that of omitting the words ‘sex’ and ‘sexuality’ from the title of the educational programme. Another strategy adopted to mitigate this risk is the fact that sufficient time was allowed for the recruitment stage, in order to allow sufficient time for communication between Inspire and members of the target group in order to engage them and secure their participation. Additionally, the fact that Inspire already has a long standing relationship with a large number of such target beneficiaries, through the delivery of various other services and programmes offered by it, provides the element of trust required for potential participants to be convinced about the value and benefit of this educational programme. In addition, it has been recorded that a number of participants did not attend the programme consistently and we also had a small number of drop-outs. This is attributed to the traffic issues that Malta is facing together with a transport system that struggles to cover the needs of this small but rapidly developing country. There was no provision of transport in the pilot programme. Discussions have already commenced for the future implementation of the project and the possibility to include provision of transport in an attempt to address this issue. By developing and implementing a training course and resources adapted for the needs of persons with intellectual disabilities we ensure that the project can be replicated and the sex education course will continue to be delivered by the Inspire Foundation. The staff members that received the training and were part of the first core group to develop the course will go on training other professionals from Inspire and other organisations and this, as well will ensure that this project can be replicated in the future (replicated model) with a growing number of participants. This process will contribute in achieving the main objectives of the project which are raising awareness and changing perceptions. Long-term project outputs: Increased social skills, improved assertiveness, greater independence, an ability to take greater responsibility for their sexuality, reduced risk of sexual abuse, STIs and unintended pregnancy, the language to report an incidence of abuse, changes to behaviour such as adopting more acceptable expressions of sexuality, healthier choices, less chance of risk- taking behaviours.