Fifteen young people from Gibraltar’s Youth Symposium have returned from a trip to Tangier, Morocco, where they immersed themselves in cultural exchange, community service and life- affirming experiences. 

Visiting the Cheshire Homes, a residential home for individuals with disabilities, was a key highlight of the trip. Vanessa Saccone, representative of the local Cheshire Home Support Group, helped facilitate the group’s activities and connections with the home and accompanied the group to Tangier. 

The young people and the residents quickly found common ground despite the language barrier, through gestures and shared laughter. The Youth Symposium members organised a day outing to the beach, something which was new for many of the residents. 

The trip was supported by Gibraltar-based sponsors including Marble Arc and the Gibraltar Women’s Health Group, with the young people also fundraising extensively. 

One young artist from the group already has plans to collaborate with a resident artist of Cheshire Homes through the internationally acclaimed Monster Project, an initiative that connects children’s artwork with professional illustrators worldwide. 

The trip has left a lasting mark on the young people, with many expressing their desire to return and continue the connections made. Feedback from the group and their families has been overwhelmingly positive, with the trip being described as ‘priceless’ and ‘life-changing’. 

This trip to Morocco is a perfect example of what youth work, empathy and global solidarity can achieve, building bridges across cultures and planting seeds for ongoing collaboration and understanding. 

Minister for Equality, Employment, Culture, Tourism and Youth, Christian Santos, said: “This trip was organised after discussion at the Youth Symposium and was an initiative directly proposed by members. I am thrilled the Youth Symposium has led to this and am sure other projects will ensue from this group meeting regularly and discussing issues that are important to them. My thanks to the Youth Service for facilitating the trip.” 

For further information about the Youth Symposium or the Youth Service please email [email protected]