The media is so engrossed in tackling economic and political stories that they often ignore the sterling work being done by thousands of people who have to deal with seriously ill relatives. Many of these people are often left alone to deal with a child’s terminal illness or an elderly relative’s slow mental and physical deterioration.

I do not expect the state to provide respite and homecare packages for all those families who have to cope with immense daily pressure to cope with difficult health problems. Yet those who have to care for vulnerable family members have to struggle with their employment commitments, supporting the other members of their families who try to lead a normal life, and finding the money to finance the inevitable extra medical expenses.

The difficult circumstances facing local families who have to care for a seriously sick relative are similar to those of other families in most Western societies. We can look at these families and find their courage and endurance inspiring. We can wish them well. But what will make a difference is the empowerment of voluntary organisations to provide support programmes for families with vulnerable dependants.

Voluntary organisations that support patients and their families in cases of terminal or long-term illnesses often have a clear vision of how they can contribute to the welfare of their targeted customers. They are well prepared professionally to give the best possible service but are often held back from providing their services more broadly by the lack of financial support.

It is a sad reality that in these difficult economic times donations by the public to charities have dropped significantly. Yet the pressures on charities to support vulnerable families increase as more people lose their jobs or are expected to commit themselves more intensely to their employment duties.

The contribution being made by the Community Chest Fund to collect more money from the community is important. This fund often assists people who face dramatic challenges while caring for a seriously ill relative. They do it without seeking publicity knowing that the best reward for helping people in need is the satisfaction that one gets by helping others.

Other organisations like Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Hospice Malta, Caritas, Puttinu Cares, Inspire and similar charities are also doing a great job in helping those facing daunting challenges in their lives. Their help is not limited to financial support but includes psychological and moral assistance that often makes all the difference between coping with the stress caused by caring for a sick relative and suffering a complete burnout.

The pressures on charities to support vulnerable families increase as more people lose their jobs

While ideally private financial support should remain the main source of income for these organisations, the State also needs to do its part. The first priority is to fill in the gaps that currently exist in the portfolio of services provided by voluntary organisations. The present administration’s commitment to guarantee sheltered accommodation to persons with special needs when their parents can no longer take care of them is an admirable commitment to promote social values.

The anguish that these parents face as they grow older and fret about what will happen to their vulnerable children is heart breaking. Their needs have so far been a low priority in the to-do list of past administrations. Their mental anguish often leads to years of chronic depression or anxiety. Their voices are often too weak to make it to the front pages of our media. They can sometimes rely on the moral support of friends and some voluntary organisations but their quality of life is poor as they see a bleak future for their already disadvantaged children.

I would love to see the new administration coming up with a comprehensive strategy that addresses the social needs of vulnerable sectors of our society. Such a strategy should seek to empower non-governmentary voluntary organisations as they are the best suited to provide the level of care and service that vulnerable people need.

The State’s role should ideally be that of providing the infrastructure for these organisations to prosper. Fiscal incentives to encourage private support to charities are just one element of this infrastructural support. Direct State contributions will always be needed to fill in gaps in the financing model. But most important the administration needs to show the political will to put the needs of vulnerable people on top of the political agenda.

We need to move beyond sympathy and admiration to practical community and state support.

johncassarwhite@yahoo.com