Two specialised learning spaces at Inspire Malta have officially reopened with newly installed sound attenuation boards, following the successful completion of works funded by the db Foundation earlier this year.

The upgrade marks a significant milestone in improving learning environments for autistic children enrolled in Inspire’s STEP IEI and STEP Forward programmes.

The rooms, located at Inspire’s Bulebel Centre, now offer a more supportive and calming environment that addresses the sensory sensitivities many autistic children face. Excessive noise can be a major source of stress for children on the autism spectrum, leading to anxiety, distraction, and difficulty learning.

With these enhancements, children aged 3 to 6 are now benefiting from improved focus, emotional regulation, and engagement in their daily educational activities.

“The feedback from our team has been overwhelmingly positive. The difference in the room’s acoustics has created a noticeable shift in how the children interact and learn,” said Antonello Gauci, CEO of Inspire Malta. “We are deeply grateful to the db Foundation for enabling this important upgrade and look forward to welcoming them for an official visit soon.”

The two programmes benefiting from this initiative are:

  • STEP IEI, a day-based intensive early intervention for children under five with an autism diagnosis, focusing on developing communication, social, and life skills.
  • STEP Forward, which supports Year 1 students in strengthening their school-readiness, social-emotional, and independence skills.

Together, these programmes currently support 163 children, with plans to reach over 200 by year-end.

Dr Sandra Sladden, Chairperson of the db Foundation, expressed her satisfaction at seeing the completed works: “We are thrilled to see the impact of this initiative take shape so effectively. Supporting Inspire’s work aligns with our mission to create real, lasting improvements in people’s lives, especially children who benefit most from safe and inclusive environments.”

Established in 2019, the db Foundation continues to drive impactful change across the social, educational, health, and environmental sectors. Its board includes Dr Sandra Sladden (Chairperson), Luke Azzopardi, Gianluca Bezzina, and Alan Debono.