Karl Vella Foundation’s mission is to create a nurturing environment where families dealing with illness or loss can find solace, belonging, and understanding among peers who share similar experiences. Through compassionate counselling and tailored psychotherapeutic programmes, KVF aims to empower individuals and families to navigate their emotions, build resilience, and regain a sense of stability.

KVF offers various free services to help families along their journey.

The Wellness Pod has now been in operation for the past eight years and is dedicated to supporting children, aged between 5 and 17, coping with illness or loss of a relative. A child who uses the services of The Wellness Pod may be helped in two ways.  The child may attend one of the various psychotherapeutic group sessions led by mental health professionals held at the KVF Centre and/or also be supported through one-to-one therapy. Our age-specific programme is designed to provide a safe and nurturing space for children to process their thoughts and express their emotions and experiences related to their situation.  Experiencing the illness or loss of a loved one is difficult for the child, and so KVF provides a space where children going through similar experiences have a place to process their emotions together. Being with children going through a similar experience helps a child develop a sense of belonging.

Because You Matter was launched in December 2022 and provides emotional and psychological support to patients, donors and their caregivers travelling abroad for medical treatment. The support is also extended to family members who do not necessarily accompany the patients abroad. Support takes the form of frequent scheduled phone calls and check-ins, individual therapy and crisis intervention provided by mental health professionals.

Life Beyond Loss

This service is held in collaboration with the Franciscan Conventual Friars and offers grief therapy sessions for those who have suffered the loss of a partner or the loss of a child. Each group is led by a mental health professional. There is a maximum of 12 participants per group and a series of 10 sessions are offered each time. Life Beyond Loss sessions are held at intervals throughout the year.

Lifeloom Training Hub

KVF was established in May 2014, and now has over 8 years’ experience in the field of illness, loss and grief. Based on this, KVF offers training in the form of talks, workshops and seminars to professionals working in the psycho-social and educational field. KVF also holds training sessions and workshops for corporate employees as well as for parents so as to empower them to discuss illness or loss with their children.