Introducing Project CARE: Community Arthritis Resilience and Empowerment

Press Release

The Arthritis and Rheumatism Association Malta (ARAM) VO425 has officially launched its new project CARE – Community Arthritis Resilience & Empowerment, made possible through funding awarded by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) under the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme (VOPS).

Running from May 2026 to February 2027, the CARE project will strengthen support for individuals living with arthritis and other rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) across Malta.

Arthritis is often described as a hidden disability, where pain, fatigue, and physical limitations are not always visible, leading to misunderstanding, stigma, and social isolation. Through CARE, ARAM aims to address these challenges by promoting greater awareness, resilience, and inclusion within the community.

The project will deliver a structured programme combining education, peer support, and volunteering, equipping participants with practical tools to better manage their condition while fostering stronger social connections.

A central outcome of the initiative will be the development of a new digital ARAM Platform, designed as a hub for learning, communication, and engagement. The platform will provide access to training resources, volunteer opportunities, community interaction tools, and awareness content aimed at both members and the wider public.

CARE will also focus on expanding and strengthening ARAM’s volunteer network, including the active involvement of young people and newly diagnosed individuals. Trained volunteers will play a key role as community ambassadors, supporting outreach, awareness campaigns, and peer-led initiatives.

By combining digital innovation with community-based support, the project will enhance ARAM’s capacity to serve its members while promoting health literacy, active citizenship, and social inclusion. The initiative aligns closely with national priorities related to health, wellbeing, and volunteering.

The project will be formally introduced through a dedicated launch event, followed by a series of workshops, outreach activities, and awareness campaigns throughout the year.

Stqarrija Għall-Istampa

L-Arthritis and Rheumatism Association Malta (ARAM) VO425 nediet uffiċjalment il-proġett il-ġdid tagħha, CARE – Community Arthritis Resilience & Empowerment, li sar possibbli permezz ta’ finanzjament mogħti mill-Kunsill Malti għas-Settur tal-Volontarjat (MCVS) taħt il-Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme (VOPS).

Il-proġett CARE, li se jsir bejn Mejju 2026 u Frar 2027, se jsaħħaħ l-appoġġ għal individwi li jgħixu bl-artrite u b’mard rewmatiku u muskuloskeletali ieħor (RMDs) madwar Malta.

L-artrite ħafna drabi tiġi deskritta bħala diżabilità moħbija, fejn l-uġigħ, l-għeja, u l-limitazzjonijiet fiżiċi mhux dejjem ikunu viżibbli. Dan jista’ jwassal għal nuqqas ta’ fehim, stigma, u iżolament soċjali. Permezz ta’ CARE, ARAM għandha l-għan li tindirizza dawn l-isfidi billi tippromwovi aktar għarfien, reżiljenza, u inklużjoni fi ħdan il-komunità.

Il-proġett se jwassal programm strutturat li jgħaqqad flimkien l-edukazzjoni, l-appoġġ bejn persuni b’esperjenzi simili, u l-volontarjat. Dan se jarma lill-parteċipanti b’għodod prattiċi biex ikunu jistgħu jimmaniġġjaw aħjar il-kundizzjoni tagħhom, filwaqt li jsaħħaħ il-konnessjonijiet soċjali.

Riżultat ewlieni ta’ din l-inizjattiva se jkun l-iżvilupp ta’ Pjattaforma Diġitali ġdida ta’ ARAM, imfassla bħala ċentru għat-tagħlim, il-komunikazzjoni, u l-involviment. Il-pjattaforma se tipprovdi aċċess għal riżorsi ta’ taħriġ, opportunitajiet ta’ volontarjat, għodod għall-interazzjoni fil-komunità, u kontenut ta’ għarfien immirat kemm għall-membri kif ukoll għall-pubbliku inġenerali.

CARE se tiffoka wkoll fuq it-tkabbir u t-tisħiħ tan-netwerk ta’ voluntiera ta’ ARAM, inkluż l-involviment attiv ta’ żgħażagħ u persuni li jingħataw dijanjosi tal-kundizzjoni. Voluntiera mħarrġa se jkollhom rwol ewlieni bħala ambaxxaturi tal-komunità, billi jappoġġjaw inizjattivi ta’ outreach, kampanji ta’ għarfien, u inizjattivi mmexxija minn persuni b’esperjenzi simili.

Billi jgħaqqad l-innovazzjoni diġitali mal-appoġġ ibbażat fil-komunità, il-proġett se jsaħħaħ il-kapaċità ta’ ARAM li taqdi lill-membri tagħha, filwaqt li jippromwovi l-għarfien dwar is-saħħa, iċ-ċittadinanza attiva, u l-inklużjoni soċjali. L-inizjattiva hija wkoll allinjata mill-qrib mal-prijoritajiet nazzjonali marbuta mas-saħħa, il-benesseri, u l-volontarjat.

Il-proġett se jiġi introdott formalment permezz ta’ avveniment dedikat għat-tnedija tiegħu, segwit minn sensiela ta’ workshops, attivitajiet ta’ outreach, u kampanji ta’ għarfien matul is-sena.

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This project has been funded through the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme (VOPS) managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) supported by the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector (MIV). This project/publication reflects the views only of the author, and the MCVS cannot be held responsible for the content or any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Dan il-proġett ġie ffinanzjat permezz taI-Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme amministrata mill-Kunsill Malti għas-Settur tal-Volontarjat fi ħdan il-Ministeru għall-Inklużjoni u s-Settur tal-Volontarjat. Din il-pubblikazzjoni/Dan il-proġett t/jirrifletti biss il-veduti u l-ħsibijiet tal-pubblikaturi/awturi, u l-Kunsill Malti għas-Settur tal-Volontarjat ma jistax jinżamm responsabbli għall-kontenut jew għall-użu li jista’ jsir minn dan l-istess kontenut.