The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity stated that the creation of a Residential Home on the island of Santa Maria, an investment of more than 400 thousand Euros, is another measure implemented by the Regional Government towards the inclusion of people with disabilities and support for their families. 

Andreia Cardoso spoke Monday at the presentation of the preliminary study for the expansion of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia headquarters building in Vila do Porto where the Residential Home will be built. According to her, this is an “extremely important” investment, but it does not intend to replace the existing responses. 

“In fact, this response aims to offer the possibility of resting for caregivers or accommodation on a permanent basis, thus reliving the difficulties that families feel regarding the future of their children. However, it does not intend to replace the existing responses in terms of home care, for example,” stressed the government official. 

The Residential Home also intends to be a complement to the Occupational Activity Centre managed by the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Vila do Porto, covering adults and young people aged 16 and over. 

“The creation of this home will provide temporary or permanent residential support in order to guarantee conditions of well-being and quality of life adjusted to the needs of residents, while promoting strategies to improve self-esteem as well as the personal and social autonomy of users. Moreover, it will also privilege the interaction with families and the community towards the social integration of users," said the Regional Secretary. 

The Regional Government has always been guided by the primary goal of meeting the needs of people and their families, which are mostly conveyed by the institutions that support them. 

“Due to their proximity and in-depth knowledge of the reality of Santa Maria, institutions, as is the case of Santa Casa da Misericórdia, have been and will always be the privileged partners of the Regional Government. Accordingly, we will always be available to support those that are considered to be the actual needs of people,” assured Andreia Cardoso.