Ronald McDonald House Charities assisted twice the number of children and young people with a range of needs in 2022 compared to the previous year, through extensive support programmes provided by NGOs at its Learning Centre in Qawra.
RMHC made a positive impact on the lives of 283 young clients facing learning or social challenges with educational, social, and counselling support, assisting 105 families in tandem. A total of 408 programmes and events were held throughout the year, and 484 volunteers and professionals were supported.
26 NGOs and organisations received the resources they needed to offer their services at the Learning Centre, resulting in 1,197 hours of activities in collaboration with the Service Dogs Malta Foundation, MOAS, NWAMI International Malta, and others.
The Learning Centre was certified as an 'Autism Friendly Space' after RMHC worked with the AFS project coordinator Prisms, the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability, and its partner NGO the Autism Parents Association to ensure a bespoke environment for children and young people with sensory issues.
In April, RMHC held its first ever conference in Malta aimed at frontline professionals and NGOs working in social welfare. A memorandum of understanding was signed at the conference with Aġenzija Sapport and the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, allowing both entities to start offering community services through RMHC's Learning Centre.
RMHC hosted the European Leadership Meeting in November, which brought together 24 Executive Directors from RMHC chapters across Europe, as well as the global senior leadership team, to discuss the organisation's legacy and future.
RMHC also took an active humanitarian role, collaborating with the Franciscan Welfare Association to help Ukrainian war refugees learn English. In 2022, 80 lessons were delivered to 40 families, and the programme will continue in 2023.
"Our commitment to the communities we serve is unwavering," RMHC Malta Chairman Martin Xuereb said. "We aim to build on our past achievements and support even more children, young people and their families over the next few months. One of our priorities this year is to hold a second RMHC conference in Malta as we pursue our vision to support professionals and volunteers. In this way too, we uphold our promise to keep families close."
The Malta Chapter of RMHC is part of the Ronald McDonald House Charities global network which delivers programmes and services in more than 60 countries, benefitting the lives of millions of children and their families around the world. RMHC has enjoyed the support of the McDonald's system - owners, operators, suppliers, employees and customers - around the world since it was established in 1974. RMHC Malta's primary benefactor is Premier Restaurants Malta, the operator of nine McDonald's restaurants in Malta and Gozo.