Newsletter Issue 40 2010. pdf

ISSUE
R I C H M O N D
Anthony E. Guillaumier
Chairperson
F O U N D A T I O N
J O U R N A L
A case for
Comparision
40 | 2010
2,3
MENTAL WELL BEING;
- A FAMILY CONCERN
RF SIGNS CONTRACT WITH
AFM FOR SOSP CONCERN
RF IN COLLABORATION WITH
GENERAL WORKERS UNION
As a caring organization, Richmond Foundation’s primary objective is the welfare and
wellbeing of its service users.
We endeavour to do this in various ways, be it through rehabilitation, independent or
semi-independent accommodation, home support visits, integration back in the society,
self help groups, participation in organized activities, and user involvement in every aspect
RF INVOLVEMENT IN BOV
HEALTH AND SAFETY WEEK
OPEN WEEKEND
AT VILLA CHELSEA
of our decision making process.
The purpose of these programmes and our other commitments can only attain
maximum effectiveness if they are delivered with a personal touch which embraces a
real feeling of compassion for others.
Our staff and volunteers understand the importance of honest compassion in their
work ethics and that this is a critical success factor in our operations. Honesty with one’s
self leads to compassion for others, and this in turn brings about a personal sense of peace.
Peace translates in tranquillity and better performance in one’s work.
An interesting book “Re-Surfacing” by Harry Palmer lists various exercises on techniques
4,5
OPEN WEEKEND
ANNUAL ORGANISATION DAY
LOSS WITHIN FAMILY LIFE
IL-OCD
6,7
K.I.DS TEAM BUILDING DAY
for exploring consciousness.
I thought I share with you one simple exercise, in the form of practice of the following
affirmations
8
(With attention on the person, repeat to yourself)
“Just like me, this person is seeking some happiness for his/her life.”
“Just like me, this person is trying to avoid suffering in his/her life.”
“Just like me, this person has known sadness, loneliness and despair.”
“Just like me, this person is seeking to fulfil his/her needs.”
“Just like me, this person is learning about life.”
We are all on the same boat, on the same journey, with its ups and downs, so being
honest with yourself and others is the best policy – it works, and the benefits are rewarding.
Richmond Foundation seeks to set an example on the practical application of this guiding
principle in improving the quality of life of its service users.
WELL DONE CLTC
& K.I.D.s
CHILD SAFETY IN THE HOME
9
LEONARDO DA VINCI
PLACEMENT
10,11
FUND RAISING EVENTS
LIFE SKILLS GROUPS
LEISUE CENTRE
12
THANKS &
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Visit our website www.richmond.org.mt
EVENTS
Mental Well Being; A Family Concern
12th March 2010
58th International Conference of the International Commission
on Couple and Family Relations
On the 12th March Richmond Foundation had the opportunity to organise a workshop as part of the 58th International
Conference of the International Commission on Couple and Family Relations of which Cana Movement Malta is a
member and which was organised in Malta. The workshop entitled ‘Mental Well-Being: A Family Concern’ primarily
aimed to highlight the main threats to mental well-being in Maltese families and identify how individuals, families, the
state, society and the church can contribute towards improving Maltese’s families’ mental well-being. This workshop
was deemed important to organise since through our experience as the oldest standing NGO in community mental
health in Malta, we recognize the important role that the family has in the mental well-being of its members from the
preventive to the curative one.
Mental well-being is not just the absence of mental disorder.
It is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual
realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal
stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is
able to make a contribution to her or his community. Mental
health is about the promotion of well-being, the prevention
of mental disorders, and the treatment and rehabilitation of
people affected by mental disorders (WHO). A person who
enjoys mental well-being experiences a balance of positive
and negative emotions and thoughts, respects, values and
cares for himself/herself and others, enjoys good, healthy,
non-abusive relationships, has a balance of work, rest and
sleep and judges himself/herself on reasonable standards.
As already mentioned the workshop material was based on
the experience of Richmond Foundation’s work with families
where one or more members were experiencing mental
health problems. For the purpose of this study and workshop
presentation we focused on those clients of ours who contact
us for short term interventions and support with situations
involving family members experiencing mental health
problems. It was identified that the 6 main threats to mental
well-being in families are lack of communication opportunities
and skills, lack of finances or financial management skills, lack
of quality time together, lack of common values, priorities
and goals and lack of resilience.
In the workshop participants were divided in 6 small
groups and each group was asked to reflect on a threat and
identify what can be done from a collaborative and diverse
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RICHMOND FOUNDATION JOURNAL
perspective so as to reduce the impact of these threats on our
families’ mental well- being. This collaborative and diverse
perspective takes in consideration the individual, the family
unit, the state, society and the church.
In the results of the workshop exercise there was a lot of
emphasis on the importance of education and prevention
as the main tools to enable mental well-being in families.
The main message conveyed was that the Church and the
State need to collaboratively develop a strategy on how to
educate Maltese families on life skills which would enable
them to enjoy family life. Education and awareness needs to
take place in all aspects of society, i.e. in schools, workplaces,
villages/ towns (through parishes and local councils) and other
organisations working with communities. The campaign needs
to be targeting all persons at different stages of the life span,
from children to the elderly. By the term ‘life skills’ workshop
participants were referring to education on communication
skills, resilience and coping skills, stress management skills,
financial management skills, time and resource management
skills and work ethic skills amongst others. Using the media
this educational campaign should also promote values
which protect family life. Another important suggestion
was the Church and the State provide more practical and
emotional assistance to families and individuals in genuine
need so as to lessen emotional and mental ill health in families
especially since most emotional and mental ill health comes
about as a result of unresolved other social problems such
as unemployment, addictions and abuse.
EVENTS
Richmond
FOUNDATION
MALTA
Richmond Foundation signs contract with
Armed Forces of Malta for
Staff and Organisation Support Programme
1st April 2010
On the 1st April 2010, the Armed Forces of Malta have signed an agreement with the Richmond Foundation for the provision of the Staff and
Organisation Support Programme for their employees. The main aim of such programme is to promote psychological wellbeing at the workplace
and to equip employees with the necessary skills in managing stress. Through this programme, counselling as well as training will be provided
to their employees.
We would like to congratulate the Armed Forces on this initiative which shows their commitment towards the mental wellbeing of their
employees and to also thank them for the trust they showed in the Foundation.
Richmond Foundation in collaboration
with General Workers Union
3rd May 2010
In remembrance of Workers Memorial Day, the General
Workers Union, together with Richmond Foundation, organised
a half-day on the 3rd May 2010 entitled ‘New and Emerging
risks on Work Related Stress’. The seminar aimed to provide
information and increase awareness on the economic impact
of stress on businesses as well as the detrimental effects on
the workers themselves. Ms. Dolores Gauci, Chief Executive of
Richmond Foundation was part of the Forum entitled ‘Stress
and Workers’ where she gave a presentation on the impact
of stress on the mental health of employees and also raised
awareness on the Staff and Organisation Support Programme,
which is a preventive programme provided by Richmond
Foundation that provides assistance and support to both the
employer and employees for a better working environment.
The seminar ended with the celebration of Holy Mass by His
Excellency Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo, to commemorate
workers who lost their life at their place of work.
Richmond Foundation involvement in BOV
Health and Safety week
3rd-7th May 2010
Richmond Foundation was involved in the first Health and Safety week organised by Bank of Valletta, as part of the Staff and Organisation
Support Programme being provided to the Bank. The aim of this involvement is to promote the service as well as to raise awareness that taking
care of the mental health of employees is part of the Bank’s commitment towards health and safety. A representative from Richmond Foundation
was present all week, distributing promotional material as well as being there for those employees who wanted to know more about the service.
Richmond Foundation takes this opportunity to thank Bank of Valletta for their commitment towards the mental wellbeing of their employees
as well as for involving the Foundation in this event.
Visit our website: www.richmond.org.mt
3
EVENTS
Open Weekend
14, 15, 16 ta' Mejju 2010
B˙al kull sena g˙al dawn l-a˙˙ar tmien snin, Richmond Foundation
regg˙at organizzat l-Open Weekend ©ewwa Villa Chelsea. G˙alkemm
wie˙ed mill-g˙anijiet priniçipali ta’ dan il-weekend hu li jin©abru
fondi b’risq ir-Richmond Foundation permezz ta’ BaΩaar, dan m’hux
l-uniku g˙an. G˙an ie˙or importanti hu li permezz ta’ din l-attivita
titqajjem aktar kuxjenza dwar is-sa˙˙a mentali b’mod ©enerali kif
ukoll dwar is-servizzi li ji©u offruti minn Richmond Foundation. Dan
huwa ukoll mod kif inressqu il-pubbliku lejn nies bi problemi ta’
sa˙˙a mentali biex ikunu fl-istess post mag˙hom u fl-istess ˙in jie˙du
pjaçir billi jg˙addu ftit ˙in jixtru affarijiet bi prezzijiet tajbin ˙afna.
Okkazzjonijiet b˙al dawn, jg˙inuna sabiex inkomplu intaffu xi ftit
l-istigma assoçjata ma’ nies bi problemi ta’ sa˙˙a mentali.
G˙alkemm l-open weekend idum biss tlett ijiem, isiru ˙afna
preparamenti minn xhur qabel. L-ewwel isiru it-talbiet g˙addonazzjonijiet, imbag˙ad irridu nikkonfermaw li se jing˙ataw iddonazzjonijiet minn diversi ˙wienet u kumpaniji u wara nibdew ni©bru
dawn l-istess donazzjonijiet minn diversi bnadi madwar Malta. L-a˙˙ar
faΩi tkun tikkonsisti fl-ippreΩΩar ta’ l-o©©etti li nkunu ©barna, fittqassim tal-posters u flyers, fit-twa˙˙il ta’ banners, reklamar fuq diversi
mezzi ta’ komunikazzjoni kif ukoll it-tindif tad-dar u t-trasformazzjoni
ta’ Villa Chelsea minn post attrezzat b˙ala residenza g˙al persuni li
g˙andhom problema ta’ sa˙˙a mentali g˙al post fejn se ji©i organizzat
BaΩaar. Ta’ min jg˙id li matul dan il-proçess kollu l-istess klienti ta’ Villa
Chelsea ikunu involuti fil-preparazzjonijiet, kemm jista’ jkun possibbli
u din is-sena b˙as snin l-img˙oddijja kellna ˙afna g˙ajnuna.
Din l-attivita’ kienet miftu˙a mis-sur Anthony Guillaumier b˙ala
chairman tal-fundazzjoni.
Nixtiequ nie˙du din l-opportunita’ sabiex nirringrazzjaw lil dawk
kollha li b’xi mod tawna s-sapport tag˙hom u ˙admu sabiex din
l-attivita’ tkun wa˙da ta’suççess b’mod partikolari l-istaff ta’ Richmond
Foundation, il-voluntiera, dawk li kkontribwew billi tawna l-affarijiet,
u lir-residenti ta’ Villa Chelsea tal-g˙ajnuna tag˙hom u talli kienu lesti
jilqg˙u tant tibdil u tant nies fid-dar li s-soltu jg˙ixu fiha.
Annual Organisation Day 11
st
Richmond Foundation’s annual Organisational Day was held
on 11th. June 2010 at Savio College Rabat. The aim of the day was to
provide employees with the opportunity to strengthen relationships
amongst themselves and solidify their sense of belonging in the
organisation by engaging in activities and discussion which reflect
the organisation’s vision, mission and values. All this was done in
a dynamic, fun and creative environment. During the day Mr Paul
Gauci. Facilitated various activities related to dealing with change
in an emotional intelligent way.
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RICHMOND FOUNDATION JOURNAL
June 2010
A number of activities were held in order to enhance motivation in
working together so as to successfully achieve Richmond Foundation’s
mission; be more aware of the different persons forming part of this
organization and the different roles they fulfil and improve relationships
and communication amongst employees.
The day was a very successful one, with employees commenting that
such Organisational Days are truly necessary in order to keep working
together, achieving and facing changes together in a positive way.
SPECIAL FEATURE
Richmond
FOUNDATION
MALTA
Loss within Family Life
When I was asked to give my contribution and write about this very
identity, whilst struggling with the feelings of loss. Practical help
sensitive topic, I gave a lot of thought to how to write about loss within
like baby-sitting, cooking and running errands are all ways to help
family life. Although through life we daily encounter losses, such us
someone who is in the midst of grieving.
losing out on a job we really wanted, or a dear friend that leaves the
I am aware that here I have only skimmed the surface of what is
island to live abroad, it is unequivocally the death of a loved one that is
a vast and delicate topic. I hope that these reflections help you think
universally the most painful and devastating loss for any human being.
more about your own beliefs related to mourning and bereavement,
Much as we may be uncomfortable dwelling in such thoughts, death
and how you came to embrace these ideas. One should never be
and mortality are inevitable human experiences that bring us face to
ashamed of struggling with grief. When necessary family members
face with our own vulnerabilities.
should be encouraged to seek out outside help through support
Grief is a very personal and private experience. Within my clinical
groups or individual therapy.
practice I meet people who are often confused about what to do with
their own feelings of grief. Others are not sure how to behave around a
loved one who has undergone loss, such as that of a sibling or parent.
People are often afraid to talk about the process of loss, avoiding it for
different reasons, maybe thinking that talking about the lost loved one
will somehow makes things worse. Lately I’ve encountered a lady in her
thirties who has lost her mother six months ago. When I asked her how
she was living the bereavement process she replied that she was ‘moving
on’ and was trying to not think about her mum as much as possible. At
the same time she also fondly spoke about how attached she had been to
her. Her replies puzzled me. Eventually we came to talk about how within
her family-of-origin there seemed to be the belief that ‘losing oneself’
to bereavement would eventually lead to emotional meltdown, possibly
leading one to scenarios including major depression or alcoholism. No
wonder this woman denied herself the process of grief. There was no
permission or support to do so within her family.
Because every grief process is a personal matter, we need to be
sensitive to each other’s needs. Each family member experiences the loss
in a unique way. There is no one prescription to guide us through this
process. Popular beliefs are often unhelpful. For example there seems to
be the idea that the bereaved should be finished with their grief within
one year or something is wrong. Other people turn to ‘the stages of
bereavement’ expecting to go from a stage to another in a recipe-like
manner, when for the vast majority of people their experience proves to
be far more complex. If someone you care about has lost a loved one,
you can help them through the grieving process, by allowing them to
share the sorrow and talk about their feelings of loss and share memories
of the deceased. It does not help to say commonplace statements like
"it was for the best" or "you'll get over it in time." Simply be there and
take time to listen.
The loss of a significant other means that that person needs time
to adjust to their changed life. For example the death of one’s spouse
or partner often means slowly learning how to live alone, adjusting
il-OCD
Toqgħodx tiffita għax ħażin għalik,
kontrolla il-OCD li hemm ġo fik.
Qed nipprova, ma tarax?
Imma diffiċli u ma nistax!
Kull ħaġa żgħira saret iddejjaqni,
u tibqa sakemm tbaqbaqni.
Ma nistax nara tnietex jew xi sufa.
Għal naqra trab inġib xkupa.
Kif immis xi ħaġa naħsel idejja,
u ġol mirja hemm gwerra għaddejja.
Niffitta fuq wiċċi u fuq xagħri.
Ġesu ħanin, jiena xi ġrahli?
Fid-dar qisni żugraga, ndur u ndur,
u moħħi jsib xi ħaġa ħażina żgur.
Irrid kollox f’postu u kollox dritt,
u nadif tazza, kemm jien fitt!
Jaqaw il-bieb għalaqtu, u bilħaqq il-gas?
Ha nerġa niċċekja, impossibli ma ngħatix
kas.
Ma nispiċċa qatt fuq dan is-suġġett,
u nibqa għaddejj għax xejn ma hu perfett.
to being a single parent and many more other big changes to one’s
Visit our website: www.richmond.org.mt
5
K.I.Ds PROGRAMME
K.I.Ds Team Building Day
Coming together is a beginning, keeping together
Henry Ford
is progress, working together is success. Many people working together in order to achieve the same aim is never easy. Take a football game.
Eleven players in one team, trying hard to place the ball in the net. This is no easy feat, as they must
overcome many obstacles (including the opposition posed by the other team).
The K.I.Ds team compromises of thirteen individuals which
include the coordinator, the residential project worker and eleven
care workers. Unlike a football team, the K.I.Ds team rarely meets
all together, due to shift restrictions and other commitments and
therefore this makes it even more difficult for the team to achieve
its aims, mainly offering a service which is consistent. All individuals
that make the K.I.Ds team come from different backgrounds and are
of different ages and therefore providing consistency is a difficult
but yet not impossible feat.
It was because of this that over K.I.Ds’ three year history that the
team felt the need to organize a team building day which would aim
at bringing the whole team together in an informal setting in order
to improve team performance. There have been recent changes in
the K.I.Ds team and therefore it was deemed appropriate to have
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RICHMOND FOUNDATION JOURNAL
the first ever K.I.Ds team building day when the new staff members
would have settled down. The Team Building day was organized on
Wednesday 12th May 2010 at the National Park at Ta’ Qali. Dr. Edward
Curmi and Mr. Joe Galea facilitated the team building exercises, where
staff could see that if one works hand-in-hand this will ensure self
development, positive communication, leadership skills and the ability
to work closely together as a team to solve problems. The morning
ended with all the staff enjoying the food and drink that they brought
with them and also had the time to interact informally. They even
sang a few songs and had a few laughs together.
All staff members gave very positive feedback about the Team
building day and urged for more similar activities in the near
future.
K.I.Ds PROGRAMME
Richmond
FOUNDATION
MALTA
Well Done to
Computer Technology Learning Centre
and K.I.Ds
During the summer season KID’s and the CTLC took the initiative to start organizing computer sessions for the residents at KID’s. The children
were divided into two groups according to their age. Sessions started on the 15th July and were held every Thursday afternoon. Apart from
playing online games I also dedicated halve an hour on how to use a couple of the office applications namely Microsoft office Word & Powerpoint
Presentation. The children enjoyed the sessions. The hardest thing was to get them off the computer and not to get them to the premises as
all children are. Care workers were also present during the sessions. Feedback from KID’s was also positive and hopefully such activity will take
place in the near future.
CTLC offers Basic and Intermediate
computer courses
The Basic course is for all persons who never had any previous
experience on using a computer. It is a ten session course, in which
one learns how to use Microsoft office word, email & Internet.
The intermediate is the second step towards ECDL certification.
It is an eight session course covering Microsoft Office Word and
Excel.
Anyone who would like more information and/or register
for any available courses, can contact Richmond Foundation or
CTLC.
Contact Details
Richmond Foundation
424, St. Joseph’s High Street, St. Venera SVR 1013
Tel no: 2148 2336
Email: [email protected]
CTLC
220/2, Canon Road, St. Venera, SVR 9034
Tel no: 2147 2042
Email: [email protected]
Visit our website: www.richmond.org.mt
7
FEATURE
Child Safety in the Home
The growing child is an energetic, curious and creative person, and
as such would be prone to take an interest in his/her surroundings and
would enjoy exploring things.
While this creative approach should be encouraged to boost the
child’s intelligence, it definitely creates problems for the parents as
the child becomes prone to causing injuries to himself/herself and
others.
The most dangerous places in the home are definitely the kitchen
and the tool shed, here the child should be constantly monitored and
should never be left alone. Some preventive measures that the parents
can use are by installing child-proof locks on all drawers and doors.
Most common injuries to the child are caused by swallowing or
inserting objects like buttons, in their nose or ears, ingesting or inhaling
poisonous or corrosive chemicals, swallowing medicines, burning
or scalding themselves with fire, hot objects or boiling cooking oil,
steam or hot water, piercing themselves with pointed objects, cutting
themselves with knives or other sharp objects, bruising themselves by
falling, injuring themselves by falling from ladders, breaking bones or
electrocuting themselves.
Some dangerous objects which can be found in the kitchen include
boiling oil in pans or boiling water in a kettle, household chemicals
(like shoe polish, metal polish, detergents, bleaches, acid), stools
and chairs (which the child may climb upon to reach high objects or
to play with), kitchen appliances (where the child may injure his/her
hands with), drawers and cupboards (which the child may shut his/her
fingers with), matches and gas or cigarette lighters (which the child
may burn himself/herself with), and electrical cords or sockets which
the child may tamper with.
Electrical dangers may be caused by the child inserting a metallic
object in a socket, cutting an electrical cable with pliers, a knife or
scissors or even chewing an electrical cable.
Cables should be kept as short as possible and out of the way to
avoid the child tampering with them or pulling them, and all unused
sockets should be protected by a child-proof cover.
The dining room may also pose other dangers to the child, like
a table cloth (which can be pulled with objects falling on the child),
chairs, cutlery etc.
Needless to say, the tool shed is full of dangers like paints, paint
thinners, tools (including small tools and power tools), etc. If would
be advisable that the child be kept away from the tool shed until he/
she is old enough to be safe in these surroundings.
There are other dangers which the parents may oversee, these can
be in the bath where a child may slip and hit his/her head or swallow
water, the bed (or playpen) where the child may climb and fall, mats
where the child (and even adults) may trip on etc.
And of course, one must beware of the stairs, the child may find it
enjoyable to climb the stairs where he/she might fall – here a protective
gate should be installed both at the top and bottom of the stairs.
Also there are the dangers which are caused by appliances like
electric irons, sewing machines, spin driers, washing machines, electric
fans, toasters, electric or gas heaters, fireplaces, etc. These may all cause
serious injuries to the child if mishandled.
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RICHMOND FOUNDATION JOURNAL
Of much importance, one must realise that the child may cause
serious (and even fatal) injuries to himself/herself and others. It is not
so uncommon that a child may cause a house fire – here the child
should not be allowed to play with candles, matches, fireworks or
the cooker. Playing with cookers may lead to a gas leakage and may
cause an explosion.
Other dangers which exist (but are usually ignored) are pets. The
pet, if annoyed, may become aggressive and may react by scratching
or biting the child. The child should be taught to handle his/her pet
with tender, loving care and refrain from annoying it in any way. Taking
food away from a dog, while eating, can be very dangerous with the
possibility of the dog biting the child.
As the child grows older, and would be able to understand the
consequences of misdeeds, he/she should be made aware of the
consequences that his/her actions may have on the safety of himself/
herself and the whole family.
It would be wise for parents to do a risk assessment for any dangers
in the home and to put appropriate preventive measures in action.
There indeed are many things in the home that may prove to be
dangerous; some basic changes in the home would make the home
safer for everybody.
One must make sure that medicines, chemicals, tools and firearms
are safely locked up in a secure cupboard and the keys kept away from
the child.
Firearms pose a grave danger to children, as they may handle or
play with the firearm and can shoot somebody dead. There have been
cases, abroad, where children have taken firearms to school. Firearms
pose a great responsibility on parents and as such these firearms should
always be kept secured.
It would be an advantage for the parents to take basic training in
health and safety, fire safety and first aid. These basic courses would
make them aware of the dangers that may arise in the home and to
deal with any accidents should these occur.
Finally, parents should be well informed on how to deal with
cooking oil fires and should be able to use a fire blanket and a fire
extinguisher. A cooking oil fire can put the whole family in danger,
and may even cost them their lives. Here, smoke and gas detectors
are a must in the home, giving all day security and especially at night
while the family is asleep.
It is essential to know the emergency services telephone number
(112 in Europe, 911 in USA and Canada and 000 in Australia.) and how to
relay the necessary information to the operator. It would be important
to give accurate information such as the exact place of the accident,
contact telephone number, the type of injury or accident, age and sex
of the injured person, and in the case of accidental poisoning or drug
overdose which poison or medicine was taken etc. One should NOT
terminate the call until the operator tells you to hang up.
When holidaying abroad, one should always ask the hotel receptionist
to give you the emergency services telephone number.
EUROPEAN NEWS
Richmond
FOUNDATION
MALTA
Leonardo da Vinci Placement
An Experience at RETHINK Services in South East England
My visit to the Rethink Services in
Gravesend and to other services within South
East of England has been a positive and a
useful one which reinforced the work I do at
the Home Support Service whilst highlighting
some differences in systems, perceptions and
services in supporting people experiencing
mental health difficulties.
I spent the majority of my placement at the
Sahayak services in Gravesend which are run
by mental health professionals and volunteers
who have a big awareness of the cultural aspect
which influences the way a person experiences
and thinks. 1 in 8 people in the UK belong
to ethnic minority communities and due to
different reasons, the mental health needs of
people coming from black and minority ethnic
groups (BME) are often neglected. BME are
also highly over-medicated and offered less
talking therapies.
Gravesend is one of the places where one
finds a higher proportion of ethnic minority
groups and Sahayak, meaning ‘helpful’ in
Hindu, focuses on providing the assistance
to their needs. Apart from the universal stigma
that mental illness carries, talking, accepting
and going for help for your mental health
difficulty is quite shameful for members of the
BME as it is understood that one does not talk
or ask for help about family issues, especially
with regards to such problems. The root of
the illness is sometimes associated with black
magic, someone who has done something
wrong, or is connected to behavior in a past
life. Professionals have to reach out to their
clients, educate them, guide them to their
treatment, and assist them to meetings and
medical visits sometimes acting as translators
due to the language barriers.
Jean Paul Magrin in front of the Sahayak offices in Gravesend
Accompanied by the Swale Users Forum coordinator
(left) and Swale Users Forum representative (right)
The different services offered include a
drop-in service (initial contact with the service
and assessment), a counseling service, a carers
support service (including a support group
and individual support), an Asian mental
health helpline, and a floating support service
(support for independent living and social
housing).
In Dover’s Rethink services I met with
mental health professionals working in a
floating support service (similar to the one
mentioned above but time limited), a carers
support service and an advocacy service. The
latter provides guidance regarding queries on
the rights of mental health clients.
I also had the opportunity to be present
during a users forum at Sittingbourne where
people who have experienced a mental health
problem meet to forward any views, concerns
or questions regarding mental health issues and
these are then used to make representations
to the organizations responsible for planning
and providing mental health services.
Besides visiting these services and talking
to professionals and volunteers, I also had
the opportunity to visit a Sikh temple and
be present during assessments and carers’
support sessions. During this time I observed
how carers require a specialized service to
provide to them a particular and individual
support. I also attended an activity with the
clients to Whitstable, a fishing and harbour
town in Kent. During this day I mixed up with
clients and got to know more about them and
their lives in Gravesend.
This experience has provided me a time
to ponder about the support I provide to my
clients and revise some of my techniques
whilst learning about services mentioned
above, some of which Richmond Foundation
can consider to provide for a more holistic
community service to people who need
support for their mental health.
Jean Paul Magrin
Home Support Worker
Jean Paul Magrin with some of the team members of the Sahayak services.
Visit our website: www.richmond.org.mt
9
FUND-RAISING & PROMOTION
L-Għanja tal-Poplu 2010
in aid of Richmond Foundation
fl - 4 ta' Diċembru 2010
The 35th Edition of L-Għanja Tal-Poplu will be held on Saturday 4 th December 2010 in the Grand
Ballroom Hotel Phoenicia. L-Għanja Tal-Poplu is a festival where participants are encouraged to
express themselves through their original songs in Maltese, in a friendly atmosphere.
The participants may be singer-songwriters, musical groups, or authors and composers
who select a group to interpret their song. Every song will also be accompanied live preferably
with acoustic instruments.
Persons wishing to participate may submit their songs on Monday 25th October, 2010 at
the Y.T.C., Valletta. Further information may be found on www.ghanjafest.com where one can
view videos from previous edition of the festival.
The proceeds from the festival will go towards The Richmond Foundation.
Car Lottery Launch
in Aid of Richmond
Foundation
New Draw Date
11th December 2010
10
RICHMOND FOUNDATION JOURNAL
Richmond Foundation in collaboration with Mira Motors Ltd, launched a lottery
on 25th February 2010, in order to raise funds for the various programmes and
services that it provides to promote mental health amongst Maltese society and
to support persons in the community who experience mental health problems. The Prize of the lottery is a Chevy Spark Car. The draw will take place on Saturday 11th December 2010 instead of 31st
July as previously announced.
All ticket purchased before this date are still valid for the draw.
Tickets can be purchased from various stationeries at €0.50c for a single ticket,
in packets of ten for €5 or packets of twenty for €10.
For more information please contac t Richmond Foundation on
21224580/21482336 or e-mail [email protected] or call 99844012.
Visit our web site www.richmond.org.mt
FUND-RAISING & PROMOTION
Richmond
FOUNDATION
MALTA
Life Skills Groups
from 22nd September 2010
As a main part of the Villa Chelsea’s program, from 22nd of
September we are going to offer the Life Skills Groups. These groups
will be offered to clients and the general public and will be run by the
trained staff members. During these groups theoretical information
together with practical exercises regarding certain subjects; such
as:
Health and Safety
inform clients about the dos and don’ts with regard to keeping
a healthy and safe environment
Leisure Centre
The Leisure Centre provides opportunities
to persons experiencing social exclusion and
loneliness to meet and establish networks
and friendships by engaging in creative,
educational and fun activities in a positive
and safe environment as well as improving
the persons’ social skills.
Sex Education both for men and women
giving adequate information to clients in order to foster a healthy sexual life
Presentation and Grooming
teaching the clients how they can meet the expectations of society with regard with this area
Anger Management
to help clients identify and cope with situations that might arouse feelings of anger
Social Skills and Personal Growth
helping clients identify their strengths and weaknesses in order to improve their social skills, hence become able to interact with others
Cinema Group
aims to generate discussions on various topics related to mental health e.g. stigma
Anyone who is interested to attend for these groups, or need more
information, please do not hesitate to contact either Richmond
Foundation on 21440324.
The Centre is open to all from 18 years upwards and held at
St. Augustine’s Centre, Valletta. It is managed by staff and volunteers
and opens once a week on a Monday from 5.30pm till 7pm. A variety
of activities are organized which include games, crafts, art, outings,
drama, social skills discussions and a visit by a Maltese Personality.
In 2009, a committee was set up made up of two staff members,
a volunteer and three Home Support Users. It meets every 3 months
to organize the following Leisure Centre sessions and a list of social
activities monthly which include; horse riding, Gozo and Malta day
out, cinema activity, film discussions and hikes. In the beginning,
these activities were open only to Home Support Users. They really
enjoy themselves and often ask whether they could bring their
friends with them. Thus from now on, these activities are open to
the general public.
A SERVICE BY RICHMOND FOUNDATION
RespiteService
AT VILLA CHELSEA, B'KARA
The main aim of the respite service is to improve
the quality of life of the service users and their
carers. The respite service provides an alternative
caring environment to the service user who
experiences mental health difficulties whilst the
carer has sufficient and definite time to rest before
s/he resumes the caring responsibilities.
Maximum stay: 3 weeks
WHEN
Mondays 5.30pm – 7.30pm
WHERE
St Augustine’s Youth Centre,
Old Bakery Street, Valletta
FOR WHOM
Adults
If you wish to attend or become a volunteer
contact Christiana Farrugia
at Richmond Foundation
For more information kindly contact Villa Chelsea on
21440456 / 21488062
21482336 / 2140324
Visit our website: www.richmond.org.mt
11
A Special Thank You to the many unnamed benefactors, who generously offer
their contributions supporting our cause.
For their support and generosity we would like to thank all those
who made a donation to the Foundation among whom:
Businesses from BIRZEBUGIA and Zejtun areas
Arthur & Sons Bakery
Christ Fresh Fruit
Mevel
Audeo Images
d.mail bar
Nardu Green Grocer
Best Wishes Stationery
Doves Pet Shop
Paulene Hair Studios
Blue Star
Happy Saver
Pri Cor
Body Bliss Beuty Salon
Hair O'scope
Super Star Butcher
Cardiff Butcher
Joseph Camilleri Green Grocer
Tarcisio Caruana Ltd.
Carmel Spiteri
La Bonboniera
Victor Brincat Salon
Casual 78
Le Femme
Catherine Salon
Mary Carbone
Richmond
FOUNDATION
MALTA
Board of Trustees
Chairperson
Mr Anthony E. Guillaumier
Vice Chairperson
Ms Catherine Gonzi
Secretary
Mr Manwel Ciantar
Treasurer
Ms Antoinette Caruana
Members
Ms Monica Attard
Dr Anton Grech
Ms Shirley Muscat
Rev. Dr Victor Shields MSSP
Auditors
Anton Chetcuti Ganado & Co.
Bankers
Please sign
our
petition!
Bank of Valletta
HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c.
Richmond Foundation
424, St Joseph High Street,
St Venera SVR 1013, Malta
Tel: (+356) 21482336, 21440324
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.richmond.org.mt
Richmond Foundation is registered
with the Commissioner for Voluntary
Organisations: VO/ 0017.
Log-on...
www.richmond.org.mt/petition
Qatt esperjenzajt xi problema ta’ saħħa
mentali?
Taħseb li għandek problema ta’ saħħa
mentali?
Għandek xi qarib/a li għaddew jew
għaddejjin minn problemi ta’ saħħa
mentali?
Ejja u aqsam l-esperjenza tiegħek ma
ħafna oħrajn
Ejja u tgħallem dwar il-kundizzjoni li
għaddej/a minnha
Ejja u tgħallem kif iġġib ruħek malqarib/a tiegħek
Ċempel lil Richmond Foundation fuq in-numri
21482336 / 21440324 u tingħata d-data u l-ħin tal-grupp.
RICHMOND FOUNDATION JOURNAL
ISSUE
40 | 2010
© 2010 Richmond Foundation, Malta
RICHMOND NEWS is published
periodically by Richmond Foundation,
Malta. Reproduction in whole or in
part without written permission is
strictly prohibited. All information in this
newsletter is verified to the best of the
authors’ and publishers’ ability at the time
of going to press.
Visit our website www.richmond.org.mt