San Blas Therapeutic Community

San Blas is the longest-running rehabilitation programme operated by Caritas Malta, and it is open to men only. The community lives in a peaceful, green setting on the outskirts of Żebbuġ, away from the busier towns, which gives residents space and quiet while they focus on recovery from substance use.

The programme belongs to the New Hope Project, the Caritas Malta strand that brings together its drug rehabilitation services. On VisitMalta.co.uk it is listed in our directory of charity organisations in Malta.

How the six-month programme is structured

San Blas offers a residential programme lasting six months, arranged in two stages. For the first five months, men live entirely within the community, in a setting designed to be safe and secure. Daily life combines therapy sessions with shared household routines, and residents are encouraged to build leadership and practical life skills and to take ownership of the decisions they make.

The sixth month is known as the Request Phase. Residents begin to spend a few hours a week back in ordinary society while still taking part in the programme, so that the step back into work, family and community life is gradual and supported rather than sudden. The aim throughout is to help each man rebuild his life and move towards living free of drugs.

A day at San Blas

Days follow a structured timetable. Mornings open with a community meeting, and the week includes expression groups, where residents talk about how they are feeling, planning sessions for the Request Phase, and drama therapy, which uses role play and performance as a way of exploring experiences. Practical work is part of the routine too, with residents learning skills such as cooking and gardening.

Life-coaching groups run alongside the therapy. Their titles give a sense of their focus: Persons are Gifts, Relapse Prevention, and Living in the Here and Now are among them. Outside the sessions, men can use fitness facilities, play sports and take part in outdoor recreation in the grounds. The overall approach centres on a drug-free way of life and on a deeper appreciation of life as a gift.

Part of Caritas Malta

Caritas Malta runs a wide network of services. Within the New Hope Project, San Blas sits alongside the Et Iris therapeutic community for women, a therapeutic community for people in prison, Dar Charles Miceli, an evening programme and the Stepping Stone Project. The wider organisation also provides an outreach community service, family services, a male shelter, the Tal-Ibwar centre for adolescents, Fondazzjoni Dar il-Hena, the Caritas Malta Epilepsy Association and an employee assistance programme for workplaces.

Caritas Malta also carries out research and advocacy and welcomes donations. Another charity in our directory, AAA Malta, the Association for Abandoned Animals, shows the range of voluntary work on the islands. Readers who have recently moved over and want to understand local life and institutions can start with our UK guide to relocating to Malta and our general overview about Malta.

Location and the 2027 conference

The community lies on the edge of Żebbuġ, on the road towards Buskett, in the countryside of central Malta. The historic hilltop towns covered in our Mdina and Rabat guide are a short drive away.

Malta is hosting the European Federation of Therapeutic Communities conference in 2027, which brings practitioners in this field to the islands. Professionals travelling from the UK for it can plan their trip with our guide to flights from the UK to Malta, compare hotels across Malta and read our advice on where to stay in Malta.

Caritas Malta believes recovery is possible and offers support at every stage. If you, a relative or a friend would like to know more about the San Blas Programme, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Caritas Malta.