Two new specialised spaces benefiting children and young people with autism have been inaugurated at Guardian Angel Secondary School, part of the St George Preca College in Ħamrun, the Ministry for Education and Sport and the Ministry for Inclusion and Volunteering said in a joint statement. The Multi-Sensory Room and the Calming Room will further strengthen support and inclusion by providing an environment that caters to the diverse needs of the children and young people who will use them.
The project, led by Ħamrun Ħanin-the social arm of Ħamrun Spartans FC-was carried out in collaboration with Guardian Angel Secondary School and the Autism Parents Association. The rooms were inaugurated by Ħamrun Ħanin in the presence of the Minister for Education and Sport Byron Camilleri and the Minister for Inclusion and Volunteering Julia Farrugia.
The project is the result of three years of work, during which various elements of the Ħamrun football community-including players, technical staff, committee members, and supporters-joined forces with the school and the Autism Parents Association. This initiative serves as an example of how sport and volunteering can translate into tangible benefits for the community, the Ministries said. Camilleri stated that this project reflects the importance of translating inclusion into concrete support and an educational environment that recognises and addresses the diverse needs of students.
"Every club represents a community, and a club falls short if it fails to represent its community. The work undertaken hand-in-hand with Ħamrun Ħanin goes beyond the financial investment in this project; it sends a powerful message that sport exists for the good of the community. For our part, as a government, we are committed to continuing our investment in our schools so that they offer the best possible environment for our students," Camilleri said.
"Ħamrun Ħanin is a clear example of what can be achieved when a community unites for a common goal. This initiative goes beyond mere awareness of inclusion and translates it into concrete action by creating spaces where children feel welcomed, supported, and truly part of the community. Projects like these also demonstrate the invaluable work of the voluntary sector, which recognizes the needs of our communities and turns good ideas into tangible results," Farrugia said.
Chairman of Ħamrun Ħanin Ian Debattista spoke about the efforts that brought the project to fruition-evolving from an initiative started by a group of volunteers into a project that united the sports community and various entities around a shared social goal. He noted that the project reflects Ħamrun Ħanin's commitment to making a concrete contribution to the community through sport.
Head of School Elizabeth Pisani spoke about the importance of the school being a welcoming community that provides space for every student, while emphasising the value of the collaboration that led to the project's realization. The support of Guardian Angel Secondary School was crucial in securing the space where the two rooms could be created, she said.
At the end of the event, presentations were made to individuals who had made a special contribution to bringing the project to fruition, and the Multi-Sensory Room and the Calming Room were blessed by Fr Hilary Tagliaferro.