Last week, the QoLAB – Quality of Life Assessment system for Build up of support services of excellence project partners gathered in Madrid for an energising and productive project meeting, hosted by the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM). This meeting brought together all consortium members to take stock of progress, align on next steps, and explore the Quality of Life Supports Model (QoLSM) at the heart of the project.

The three-day gathering was not only an opportunity to assess the progress in the project’s timeline, but also a vital step in building shared understanding and capacity around the QoLSM. A highlight of the meeting was the intensive training delivered on the QoLSM Toolbox. Designed to provide a practical and comprehensive framework for improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities, the Toolbox includes a variety of resources tailored for service providers, professionals, people with disabilities and their circle of support, and policymakers.

This training also marked the formal preparation of the project's Country Ambassadors in Austria, Hungary, Finland and Portugal. Country Ambassadors are dedicated representatives from each participating country, who are in charge of organising local training workshops to further disseminate and implement the model in their national contexts.

From EASPD's side, the meeting represented an important step to get closer to a shared goal: transforming support services across Europe to be more person-centred, rights-based, and focused on improving quality of life of the people they support. We left Madrid feeling inspired and equipped to take the next steps in our journey, and we’re excited to see how each country will now bring the model to life at the local level.

Stay tuned for updates as we roll out national trainings, and learn more about the project here.