NDSF Co-funds Richmond Foundation’s KIDS In Development Project
€700,000 towards Richmond’s Kids in Development
The NDSF and Richmond Foundation have formally signed an agreement awarding a social grant
towards a project that will provide a therapeutic programme of specialised care for children with
severe and challenging behaviour conditions.
(Left to Right) Mr Anthony Guillaumier, Chairperson (Richmond Foundation) and Mr
Raymond Ellul, CEO (NDSF)
Kids in Development (K.I.Ds) is a residential therapeutic programme for children aged seven to
thirteen who have been severely affected by early trauma, in the form of any type of abuse and/or
severe neglect. These experiences usually result in the children developing severe challenging
behaviour that effects the child in all areas of their life such especially in developing meaningful
relationships with others.
Run by Richmond Foundation, the K.I.Ds Programme provides these children with a nurturing and
stimulating environment, and positive experiences from which they may build confidence and
resilience. This includes learning how to develop significant relationships. The programme serves as a
bridge for them to be able to move on to a more permanent situation in their lives. Recent studies
indicate that one of every four persons of working age will experience a mental health issue at some
point in their life and half of all mental health conditions start before the age of 14 years. *
K.I.Ds first opened its doors in 2007, through a public-private-partnership between the Ministry of the
Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity, Curia and Richmond Foundation. For twelve years, it
operated from a wing of the Jesus of Nazareth convent in Żejtun. In 2019, K.I.Ds was required to vacate
the Żejtun premises and the Curia offered alternative premises, within Fra Diegu complex. These
premises require development and finishing to become fully operational. The NDSF’s funding will
ensure that the project at the Fra Diegu complex will provide a tailor-made, healing space for the
children to fully settle there.
The façade of the Fra Diegu premises in Ħamrun
The total capital expenditure for the new premises, which has a total area of 535 sqm, is projected to
be around €1,170,000, which will be mainly financed through NDSF’s social grant of €700,000. The
facility was carefully designed to facilitate the running of the programme. It will include an
administrative and therapeutic area, an outdoor area for recreational activity, spacious bedrooms for
children, and a kitchen and living area. The entire indoor premises will be equipped with air
conditioning.
Fra Diegu’s interior in its current state
Speaking at the signing, the NDSF’s CEO, Raymond Ellul stated that the purpose of the social grant was
to ensure that vulnerable children and young adolescents, together with their families would find the
right professional help and support through Richmond’s KIDS programme and hopefully they would
eventually be able to fully integrate in society. The project, like all other social projects currently
funded by NDSF, will no doubt enhance the social well-being of the country for current and future
generations. Mr. Ellul explained that the NDSF was established as a government agency in 2015 with
the purpose of managing and administering 70% of the contributions received from the Individual
Investor Programme of Malta.
Fra Diegu’s interior in its current state
On behalf of Richmond Foundation, Anthony Guillaumier, Chairperson, held that as more young
people are experiencing complex life issues, it is essential that the country offers the appropriate
range of services within purposely designed settings to provide the right care and support for them to
lead positive lives. This grant will provide some of the most vulnerable children with a dedicated
setting to call home where they can develop in a safe and loving environment.
*A Mental Health Strategy for Malta 2020-2030, Ministry of Health, July 2019