Two training workshops on the lifelong issues faced by brothers and sisters of people with disabilities are being held tomorrow afternoon and on Saturday at the University of Malta’s Valletta campus.

Most people with developmental disabilities and chronic health impairments have brothers and sisters. Throughout their lives, siblings spend more time with children with developmental disabilities or chronic health impairments than any other family member.

They also share many, if not most, of the concerns experienced by their parents. And because the sibling relationship is the longest-lasting relationship in the family, brothers and sisters are likely to experience these concerns throughout their lives.

The main workshop uses a lively large-group discussion format to help participants learn about the concerns and opportunities frequently experienced by brothers and sisters of people with disability and or chronic health impairments. The workshops will be conducted by Don Meyer, director of the Sibling Support Project in the US, and creator of the Sibshop model, together with Terese Marie DeLeonardis. They are being organised by the Equal Partners Foundation in collaboration with the University of Malta’s Department for Inclusion and Access to Learning.

The first workshop, which is open to the public, will be held tomorrow from 2 to 8pm. The second workshop, which will be held on Saturday from 9.30am to 7pm, is open to psychologists, social workers, counsellors and psychology graduates with at least four years’ experience in disability. Both workshops will be held at the University of Malta’s Valletta Campus, St Paul Street, Valletta. For more information, visit https://www.siblingsupport.org and watch the video available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve-yGz5KzYs . To apply for the workshops, send an e-mail  to info@equalpartners.org.mt.