The first Night Shelter Service in Gozo has been launched as part of the programme of works in order to strengthen services for the elderly in Gozo.

This service was announced today by the Parliamentary Secretary for Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing, Justyne Caruana during her visit at Dar Padova in Għajnsielem. Works on the adaptation of this venue in order to cater for older persons and for this service to commence, have now been concluded.

Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana reiterated that a maximum of 12 persons will benefit from this service. She explained that this service has been made available through an agreement between Government and the Church following an invitation issued by the Parliamentary Secretariat for collaboration between entities. This service will be given by professional carers, who will assist those elderly persons, who wish to benefit from this service during the night.

Justyne Caruana praised the work carried out in this Night Shelter, which was completed successfully, by persons employed with the Department for the Elderly and Community Care. She reiterated that this venue provides facilities that can be used by the elderly, such as a dedicated library, a kitchen and living area, and a spacious internal courtyard and a garden. 

The Night Shelter Service is one of a series of services that the Parliamentary Secretariat is introducing in the Gozo Region, including Day Centre Services, Respite Services, the strengthening of Commcare, and long term Care in Gozo.

Dr Caruana concluded by saying that the Parliamentary Secretariat lead by her, is responsible for the elderly on a national basis, thus it is crucial that every service is given in both islands. Since this year such services were introduced in Gozo, elderly services are now officially offered on a national basis.

Applications for the Night Shelter services may be obtained from Ċentru Servizz Anzjan in Valletta or by downloading them from the official website, www.activeageing.gov.mt.