Category: Success Stories

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Turning the Tide – from dependency to independence

Mark* had a long history of substance abuse, which led to impulsive, risk-taking behaviors and a prolonged stay at the national hospital for mental health recovery. His parents were deeply worried about him, but after significant improvements, his medical team decided he was ready to regain independence and reintegrate into the community.

At Dar Victoria, we accepted Mark and worked with him to create a personalized care plan. His family provided strong support throughout, and we helped strengthen these ties, which played a key role in his progress.

Today, Mark functions well in society, independently managing tasks such as laundry, maintaining his living space, and attending appointments. His family is overjoyed with the remarkable transformation in his mental health and overall well-being.

Mark’s next goal is to fulfil his dream of volunteering at an animal shelter, where he hopes to give back by helping animals in need.

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Nurturing Potential – A Journey of Growth

John* arrived at Dar Victoria as a young man struggling with social skills and daily living tasks, which deeply impacted his self-esteem and confidence. Initially withdrawn and unsure of himself, John found it difficult to engage with others. However, through regular outings and the support of our dedicated staff, he began to make gradual improvements.

A key moment in John’s journey was when we encouraged him to take a course focused on building skills for the work environment. This experience significantly boosted his confidence, helping him gain a sense of purpose and belief in his abilities.

John’s passion for cooking emerged as he began assisting staff in the kitchen. Today, he regularly helps prepare Sunday meals for the home, taking pride in his growing skills.

John’s transformation is a testament to the power of trust, encouragement, and the right support, showing that meaningful change is always possible.

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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.