€700,000 In Funding For Therapeutic Facility For Children Affected By Trauma
The National Developmental and Social Fund is co-funding Richmond Foundation’s greatly needed project that seeks to provide a therapeutic programme of specialised care for children who have been severely affected by trauma.
“This grant will provide some of the most vulnerable children with a dedicated setting to call home where they can develop in a safe and loving environment,” Anthony Guillaumier said on behalf of the Richmond Foundation.
Kids in Development (K.I.Ds) is a residential therapeutic programme for children aged seven to thirteen who have been subjected to severe trauma that has manifested into serious behavioural conditions. And this grant will provide the funds that the project needs to work in a bigger and more effective space.
The programme provides a nurturing and stimulating environment through which the children can create and harness positive experiences.
The programme specifically illuminates the importance of learning how to develop significant relationships, since trauma survivors notably struggle with developing meaningful relationships with others, the NDSF said.
To back their age requirements, recent studies have shown that half of all mental health conditions start before the age of 14 years, and one in every four persons of working age will experience a mental health issue at some point in their life.
K.I.Ds first opened its doors in 2007 through a public-private-partnership between the Ministry of the Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity, Curia and Richmond Foundation. For twelve years, it operated from a wing of the Jesus of Nazareth convent in Żejtun.
Then, in 2019, the programme had to vacate the Żejtun premises and were offered an alternative space by the Curia within the Fra Diegu complex. However, to become fully operational, the premises require development that amounts to around €1,170,000.
This is where the NDSF comes in. They are providing a social grant of €700,000 to ensure that the facility is carefully designed to complement the running of the programme that will help the children build confidence and resilience.
The facilities include an administrative and therapeutic area, an outdoor area for recreational activity, spacious bedrooms for children, and a kitchen and living area.
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