Author: silvester.vella@gmail.com

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“As a social worker, I had the pleasure to work closely with professionals working at Dar Leopoldo. I am highly grateful for their sterling work purposely to support and improve the service-users’ well-being. Their humane approach with clients reflects fundamental values of social work such as : empathy, non-judgmental attitudes and integrity. Their work with the clients communicates a sense of worth and dignity. This is what differentiates between being in a shelter solely to have your basic needs met and being in a shelter that feels like a temporarily home. I believe that the care and warmth professionals at Dar Leopoldo show, bring about further opportunities so that the service-users can feel empowered, supported and regain independence.”

Field external social worker

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“As a professional who collaborates closely with the staff at Fondazzjoni Suret il-Bniedem, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact they have on the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness. The staff working within the shelters are truly compassionate, dedicated, and deeply committed to not only providing shelter but also offering holistic support that empowers clients to rebuild their lives from scratch. I am incredibly grateful to work alongside Fondazzjoni Suret il-Bniedem as they are a strong pillar of our community in the fight to end homelessness.”


External Social Worker

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“To start with they have  a very highly  qualified and well trained management and staff  for all kinds of life situations, especially when it comes to mental health. This Foundation  has made a very huge impact  on a relative of mine for these past  4 /5 years.  The positive difference is undeniable.  They are always there to support and cooperate with you just like if you were family, and  they offer their clients many opportunities for a better life. and with no doubt they walk with you all the way. 

Thankyou  for all  is not enough for the success they help achieve for persons with mental health issues. “

Relative of Resident

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Michela was one of the residents that was very hesitant in starting her placement a few years ago as she was used to living on her own, however this was no longer an option as her mental health had to be given a priority. Today, Michela managed to regain her much of her independency, as through our 24/7 support, she managed to get back on track on most of the issues that were causing her great struggles while she was still living on her own. A few steps more, and with the help of the visits offered by the Community Outreach Services, Michela will be able to return to live on her own with weekly support. 

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Lisa has been a resident at Dar Imelda for several years and throughout her placement she has repeatedly expressed her wish to quit smoking as she has realised that her health issues are increasing, and she will not be able to enjoy her time with her family as much as she wished. With lots of perseverance and support, Lisa is now close to her 3-year anniversary cigarettes free! Every year we celebrate this milestone with some cake, and we use this story to help and support other clients who are willing to do the same. 

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Journey to Recovery

John, a 55 year old male, faced a long battle with alcohol addiction, which led to severe mental health issues, prolonged hospitalizations, and financial instability. Upon joining Dar Franġisk, he was at a crucial turning point, determined to overcome his struggles. With comprehensive, tailored support from our team, John focused on his recovery and skill-building in a stable environment. He engaged with specialized services that addressed his addiction, and improved his financial situation with budgeting and debt management assistance. Over time, John achieved sobriety, stabilized his mental health, and even started saving money. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of dedicated support and personal commitment, offering hope for others facing similar challenges.

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An 18-year-old was imprisoned and, upon his release, was referred to Dar Patri Leopoldo. At just 19 years old, he faced numerous challenges in getting his documentation in order. Having fled his country due to war, he endured significant hardships before arriving in Malta. His primary goal at Dar Leopoldo was to pursue education, and the team there supported him in achieving this. He successfully enrolled in and graduated from a course. Despite his past struggles and being in a new country with limited support, he remained respectful and actively contributed to Dar Leopoldo. He eventually moved out of Dar Leopoldo and rented his own place. He has stayed in touch with the team, particularly his social worker, sharing his academic achievements and good grades leading up to his graduation.

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We had a client who faced significant challenges, including a history of alcohol and drug addiction, specifically heroin and cocaine. He had spent years in prison. Upon his release, the client was referred to our services, and together, we began working towards helping him achieve independence.

We arranged appointments with his psychiatrist, assisted him in applying for his pension, and enrolled him in active aging centers as he suffered from loneliness. We also applied for housing accommodation on his behalf and supported him during hospital appointments. During our sessions, we developed a budget plan, which enabled the client to start saving money.

The housing authority eventually granted him a place to stay, and we then focused on helping him settle into the community. Our interventions included assisting him in acquiring some furniture and basic kitchen equipment for his new home. We accompanied him on grocery shopping trips and familiarized him with the neighborhood, showing him where essential amenities like the pharmacy and clinic were located.

Once the client moved into his new home, we continued to check in on him every few days. He is now living independently, and he occasionally visits us to share a cup of coffee while recounting his experiences and life stories.

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A woman in her thirties and her 5-year-old son came to us after becoming homeless. The mother had endured significant mental health issues and past domestic violence, which took a toll on both her and her child. Finding a job was incredibly difficult for her, as was managing her time, taking care of her son, attending appointments, and even getting out of bed each day. We provided extensive support, helping her with mental health care, navigating the challenges of employment, prioritizing her responsibilities, and developing her parenting skills, with the help of other professionals.

We also addressed her son’s mental health needs, ensuring he received the support necessary to manage his learning disability. With our collective efforts, she was able to stabilize in a job, save money, and eventually rent with her friend.

Her journey highlights the resilience required to overcome adversity and the transformative impact of a supportive community.

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Dar Imelda and Paul Debono

Service Description

Dar Imelda and Paul Debono is a community-based residential service with round the clock support.  It provides psychosocial support to adult women who experience mental health and homelessness challenges. 

 The Home is specialised for adult female individuals who have been admitted to Mount Carmel Hospital for a myriad of different reasons. The multi-disciplinary team (Coordinator, Social Worker, Support Worker and a team of care-workers) work hand in hand with Mount Carmel Hospital and the Mental Health Community Clinics to facilitate pathways and assist and support the residents who have been institutionalised for a long period of time due to mental health difficulties by enhancing their skills and activities of daily living.  This, with the aim to help them reintegrate back in society as independently as possible. 

Potential residents are informed about our services by the professionals at either MCH or the Mental Health Clinics. All referrals are reviewed by the intake team and discussed with the multidisciplinary team of the Home to ensure that the prospective resident’s needs can be met.

Aims and objectives

Once the assessment is done and the resident starts her placement, we start by formulating a care plan where it targets the very first basic needs and goals such as keeping up personal hygiene, budgeting, learning new skills raging to more elaborate goals such as discovering job or academic opportunities. 

Our aim is to provide a safe residential environment for adult females with mental health challenges, enabling them to develop independent living skills, enhance their social and emotional well-being, and actively participate in the community.

Objectives.

  1. Promote Social Interaction and Emotional Well-Being:
  • Fostering a community atmosphere that encourages social interaction among residents, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness.
  • Provide emotional support to help residents manage their mental health challenges effectively.
  1. Enhance Independent Living Skills:
  • Educate residents on the significance of essential life skills, providing guidance and support to help them develop competencies in areas such as personal care, basic cleaning and cooking. 
  • Encourage residents to increase levels of responsibility in managing their daily routine and promoting self-reliance and confidence. 
  1. Facilitate Community Integration.
  • Support residents in participating in community activities and access local services, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion
  • Collaborate with local organisation to create opportunities for residents to engage in meaningful social, educational and recreational activities. 
  1. Provide Round-the-Clock Support.
  • Ensure that residents have access to continuous support from trained staff, addressing their needs promptly and effectively.
  • Maintain a safe and secure living environment where residents feel comfortable and supported in their journey. 
  1. Empower Residents to Reach their Full-Potential.
  • Create individualized support plans tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals, helping them to maximize their personal growth and development.
  • Encourage residents to set and achieve personal goals, fostering a sense of accomplishment and self-worth. 
  1. Support Transition from Homelessness
  • Provide stable housing and support services to residents by helping them rebuild their lives and establish a sense of routine.

Success Stories:

  • Michela was one of the residents that was very hesitant in starting her placement a few years ago as she was used to living on her own, however this was…

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  • Lisa has been a resident at Dar Imelda for several years and throughout her placement she has repeatedly expressed her wish to quit smoking as she has realised that her…

    Read more

Testimonials

  • “Dar Imelda is a safe home for my mother and that makes my thoughts rested. Whenever I asked something as regards within my mother, support and help were everytime there.…

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  • “To start with they have  a very highly  qualified and well trained management and staff  for all kinds of life situations, especially when it comes to mental health. This Foundation …

    Read more

“We might not always see the results we want on a daily basis, but it is satisfying when daily wins are celebrated along the way within the team and residents.” Ms Kimberley Xeureb, Home Coordinator