The government has inaugurated a centre for adolescents and youths in Imsida to help young people facing social challenges.

The centre was inaugurated by Minister for Social Policy and Children's Rights Michael Falzon, together with the management of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS), which will be running the service.

A statement from the Ministry said that this innovative service builds on the “youth in focus” program established in 2013, which has been strengthened over the last three years through the “adolescent day” programme and the “embark for life” programme.

These programmes will now be delivered more efficiently under one roof in the centre in Msida.

Each service provided by this centre aims to build trust and resilience in these adolescents. Often, these young people face personal, family, and financial difficulties, the statement read.

The service will provide continuous support to these youths, to help them explore their hidden talents and abilities. The facility will also ensure that interventions with these young people occur in an informal setting where they feel comfortable and can relate better, the statement read.

Falzon said that this is another way of addressing the needs of young people, where through this outreach, they themselves feel invested in their future.

“More importantly, we help them enhance their skills and job opportunities, while providing them with all the educational and academic tools to maximize their potential,” Falzon said.