Caritas Malta

Caritas Malta is one of the island's best-known charities, and its Community Centre on Triq Mountbatten in Ħamrun is a practical point of contact for people who need help and for those who want to give time or money. The organisation works on the side of people in need, with staff and volunteers covering poverty, loneliness, mental health, family difficulties and substance misuse.

It sits in our directories of charity organisations in Malta and community centres in Malta. UK readers who live in or are moving to Malta may find it a useful local reference alongside our guide to relocating to Malta.

History and purpose

Caritas Malta was founded on 11 November 1968, when the Caritas National Council was set up to coordinate social assistance and charitable work. In 1977 the Archbishop of Malta created a secretariat for diocesan social and charitable action, and Mgr Victor Grech became director, a post he held for 37 years. Its first volunteer group of about twenty young people began meeting at Palazzo Carafa in Valletta, so the story of the charity is tied to the capital described in our Valletta guide.

The organisation was registered as Fondazzjoni Caritas Malta in 2017. Its mission is to reduce poverty and promote human development and social justice, rooted in Christian faith and Gospel values. It belongs to Caritas Internationalis, Caritas Europa and the World Federation of Therapeutic Communities.

Services for individuals and families

The foundation offers social work interventions, counselling sessions, community education programmes and an outreach service for people taking a first step towards help. Calls for assistance come from young and old alike, and where Caritas cannot help directly it points people to another organisation that can.

A family unit supports relatives affected by a loved one's substance misuse. A separate community well-being and development unit looks at changing social needs and creates projects that offer education and guidance. Other services include a male shelter, therapeutic communities for women, men and people in prison, and a young people's therapeutic centre called Tal-Ibwar. Caritas also runs an employee assistance programme, which gives companies talks, workshops and access to counselling for staff.

Caritas gives general support and information, and does not replace medical or legal advice. Anyone with a health concern should speak to a doctor or qualified professional.

Rehabilitation and the New Hope Project

The Foundation for the Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers, run under the Caritas Malta name, operates the New Hope Project, which opened to its first service users in August 1984. It supports people facing substance misuse difficulties and their families, and the story of its beginnings includes consultation with a therapeutic community in Ireland and the first day programme in March 1985.

Other projects include Dar Charles Miceli, which supports people who want to live free from substances, an evening programme, and the Caritas Malta Epilepsy Association. Caritas also runs a second hand items project, Caritas Youths and parish-based diaconia work.

Volunteering, donations and visiting

More than 200 volunteers of all ages and backgrounds give their time to Caritas Malta, helping directly through support groups or indirectly through fundraising, office work and promotion. A volunteers unit handles recruitment, training and support. Visitors who spend time in Malta may find this a rewarding way to take part in local life, and our things to do in Malta and Gozo guide give ideas for the rest of a stay. The Gozo Diocesan Service was one of the original members of its national council.

Donations are welcomed, and a PR and fundraising team raises funds for all of its services. If you are planning a longer trip, see where to stay in Malta or read about Malta. To ask about help, volunteering or giving, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Caritas Malta.