Home-Start Malta recently presented its operations report for 2010 and 2011, reviewing the targets achieved by the service and offering insights into its future objectives. Present at the event were the Home-Start Organiser, a number of Home-Start volunteers, members of the Management Committee and representatives from the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, together with the service’s long-term sponsors HSBC Malta Foundation and Vodafone Malta Foundation.

During the two years in review, 40 families benefited from the Home-Start Malta service, and 18 new volunteers joined the team, who were all provided with preparation courses and ongoing opportunities for training and support.

The service also achieved the target of supporting 25 families at any one point in time, more so due to the expansion of the service to all localities in Malta when previously it was offered only to families from Cottonera and the surrounding localities.

“Through Home-Start Malta, parents in need receive support, friendship and practical help to overcome various social and physical challenges during their children’s early development,” said HSBC Malta Foundation Chairperson Mrs Catherine Gonzi. “The Foundation has supported Home-Start since its inception in Malta in 2006 as part of its drive to improve conditions within our society for disadvantaged children. The service is most successful and deserves our extended support and sponsorship.”

“It is a privilege for the Vodafone Malta Foundation to support Home-Start Malta. We firmly believe in this programme that supports young parents with children at times when they need it most,” said Mrs Gemma Mifsud Bonnici, Chairperson of the Vodafone Malta Foundation.

“One of the main aims of the Vodafone Malta Foundation is to promote a more just society by giving disadvantaged communities opportunities for self-actualisation and inclusion. For the Vodafone Malta Foundation this is an excellent opportunity because improving families’ abilities to cope with everyday basic needs is something we want to achieve. Thanks to the Home-Start Malta team, we are seeing the results of the funds we are allocating, and the benefits that the members of the families they assist are reaping,” concluded Gemma Mifsud Bonnici.

Ms Sina Bugeja – Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services – emphasised that the Foundation invests in community services such as Home Start Malta because it believes that reaching out to families within their own environment is the best the way forward. This benefits families in need as well as society at large since it proactively addresses the risk of families and young children before they reach crisis situations. It is also efficient at helping to keep children within their own families. “Supporting parents as individuals with their needs as well as in their role as parents is also high on the Foundation’s agenda,” she said.

“This can be seen through the development of various projects led by the Foundation’s agencies as well as its support to Home-Start Gozo”.

Ms. Bugeja also thanked the sponsors of Home-Start Malta: HSBC Malta Foundation and Vodafone Malta Foundation, who offer their support year after year. She also thanked all the volunteers for their commitment and professionalism.

In the coming weeks, Home Start Malta will be accepting applications from persons interested in joining the service’s team of volunteers. The main pre-requisite is that of being a parent or having direct parenting experience.

Volunteers come from all walks of life – from young parents who help other young parents, to ’empty-nesters’ and grandparents. Friendliness and a caring attitude are indispensable since this service is based on the relationship built between the family and the volunteer. All volunteers attend a 40-hour training programme before visiting families. Volunteers are also given ongoing professional support throughout from the Home-Start Organiser.

Those interested in joining the Home-Start team of volunteers may call on 2167 8043, 2398 5111 or on 9901 8398 for more information; send an email on home.start@maltanet.net or apply online on www.appogg.gov.mt by not later than 28th February 2013.

Home-Start offers parent-to-parent support to parents of children less than 5 years, who, for various reasons may find it difficult to cope. Families that apply for this service are provided with support and guidance in their own homes to help deal with challenging situations.

These may include illness, multiple births, mental and physical disability, isolation and a need for assistance in parenting skills. Home-Start volunteers build a friendly and supportive relationship with parents. They give parents more opportunity to spend more quality time with their children since while going through stressful times, this would be lacking.

They also offer practical support such as accompanying parents for medical appointments, helping parents organise better their household chores such as cooking, cleaning and budgeting skills amongst others.

Parenting young children is very demanding, and parents may feel overwhelmed with the demands. This led to the creation of Home-Start in the UK, way back in the 70’s.

There are now over 330 schemes in the UK and there are Home-Start schemes in over 20 countries worldwide. Home-Start Malta started off in 2006 and is supported by Agenzija Appogg, and sponsored by HSBC Malta Foundation and Vodafone Malta Foundation.

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