ABOUT US

Home-Start was introduced in Malta in 2006, with the support of Agenzija Appogg, Malta’s national agency providing social welfare services for children, families and communities. The organiser was recruited and attended training in the UK. A Management Committee was formed which included representatives from Agenzija Appogg.

Over the years Home-Start Malta committee members received training from various Home-start personnel from UK and Scotland. These and other opportunities to make links with members of the Home-Start Worldwide network proved to be highly beneficial for the setting up and continuous development of the office in Malta. On the first anniversary of the service, Margaret Harrison, founder of Home-Start, visited Home-Start Malta.

For the first years of setting up Home-Start Malta, families from the inner harbour region were targeted. Home-Start eventually extended to the neighbouring communities and in 2011, the Management Committee decided to start providing a service for families from all across Malta.

Due to a growing need of the service, in 2012, another scheme in Għawdex (Gozo) was set up, covering our sister island. A management committee was set up incorporating members who have had experience in Home-Start schemes abroad.

In December 2017, the two schemes jointly had 22 active volunteers and were providing a service to 34 families. Since its inception on our islands, Home-Start has provided a service to over 300 families.

Home-Start Malta is mainly funded by the Ministry for Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity and receives sponsorship from Vodafone Malta Foundation and Shireburn Software Ltd. Home-Start Għawdex scheme is funded by EcoGozo, within the Ministry of Gozo.

A quote from a family we recently visited:

“A thank you can never be enough for all the warmth and support Home-Start has given my family. You helped us believe in ourselves and grow stronger within. Should the next family the volunteer visits, get even half what we received, they will be very blessed indeed.”