The Richmond Foundation was yesterday awarded the European Parliament’s Citizen’s Prize for 2015 in a ceremony hosted by the European Parliament Office at Dar l-Ewropa, Valletta. The organisation had been jointly nominated for this year’s prize by all six Maltese MEPs.

The Chairman of the Foundation, Victor Guillaumier, thanked the MEPs for their nomination, “It is momentous to see Richmond Foundation’s efforts during the past twenty-one years being rewarded by the European Parliament”, he said. He lauded the immense contribution of all the staff and volunteers whose dedication is a key driver for the organisation.

Mr Guillaumier pointed out that the 2015 jury has honoured the efforts of citizens to provide healthcare in the community, “those very same European citizens whose daily work is essential to the social cohesion of our countries”.

“This award places on us greater responsibility, that of working even harder to make our society a better one,” he concluded.The Maltese MEPs decided to nominate the Foundation to reward the sterling service that it offers to its patients and clients.

All MEPs present at the ceremony showed their appreciation for the services the Richmond Foundation offers. “One in four Europeans are affected by mental health problems,” said David Casa.

“Greater awareness is necessary and the stigma that is associated with these conditions must be addressed. I hope that this award presented here on behalf of the European Parliament helps in raising awareness, but also serves as recognition of the great work being done by the Richmond Foundation.”

Miriam Dalli said that discussing mental health should not be any different. “The mind is not any different from the rest of the body when it comes to health problems. Today you deserve to be congratulated, but most of all you deserve to be thanked for your daily work in this field.”

Roberta Metsola also spoke about the importance of awareness. “We do not talk about mental health issues enough. That is a conversation that as politicians and public figures we can help push forward and I hope today goes some way towards that end.”

The European laureates will now be selected by a Chancellery set up by the European Parliament, presided by the President. The European Laureates will be announced in a ceremony in Brussels taking place in October 2015.

The Richmond Foundation is a non-governmental and non-profit making organisation founded in 1993. It provides community services for persons with mental health difficulties and promotes mental health and the prevention of mental illness. It strives to combat stigma and increase awareness on the subject.

The Foundation employs more than 40 people on full time and part-time basis, spread across the head office in Santa Venera and three residential units including Villa Chelsea (B’Kara), the Hostel (Floriana) and Kids In Development (KIDs) Programme (Zejtun). It also procures services from a number of professionals including psychologists, therapists and accountants. About 30 volunteers actively contribute to the delivery of an effective service by the Foundation.

Richmond Foundation is a member of the Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Networks-Europe (GAMIAN-Europe), the European Anti-Poverty Network, the Malta Federations of NGOs and the Malta Health Network.

The European Parliament’s Citizen’s Prize The European Citizen’s Prize was launched by Parliament in 2008 to recognise exceptional achievements by Europeans. The Citizen’s Prize can be given for activities that either facilitate cross-border cooperation within the EU or promote better mutual understanding and closer integration between citizens and member states. It can also be awarded for day-to-day activities reflecting the values enshrined in the EU’s charter of fundamental rights.

Every year, each MEP has the right to nominate one candidate. Past winners from Malta include Chris Delicata (International Diabetes Federation – European Region), Rev. Victor Grech (Dar tal-Providenza), Puttinu Cares, and most recently Hospice Malta in 2014.

Photos: The Citizen’s Prize 2015 being awarded to Richmond Foundation Chairman Anthony Guillaumier – and – Group photo of members of the Foundation’s staff and volunteers with MEPs.

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