Melanie Muscat, a dedicated and experienced carer, has embarked on a new chapter in her career by joining the team at Dar Bjorn in Żebbuġ, operated by HILA. With 23 years of experience in the caregiving sector, Melanie has brought a wealth of knowledge and compassion to her role, having previously spent seven years working with CareMalta, where she also served as a carer.
Transitioning from CareMalta to HILA presented Melanie with significant challenges. At CareMalta, her primary responsibility was caring for older persons. However, at Dar Bjorn, Melanie found herself facing a different set of challenges, as the service users are often younger individuals with specialised needs. This shift required Melanie to adapt her approach and develop new strategies to effectively support and care for a younger demographic.
One of the most profound challenges Melanie encountered was on an emotional level. “It was quite challenging for me initially,” Melanie shared in her interview with CareNet. “At Dar Bjorn, the service users are younger, which required me to adjust not just my caregiving techniques but also my emotional resilience.” Despite these challenges, Melanie has successfully overcome this transition over the past year, with the support of HILA CEO Janet Silvio and Home Manager, Asha Kirar.
Melanie credits much of her smooth transition to the encouragement and foresight of Noel Borg, the COO of CareMalta Group. “Mr Borg was very positive about this career move,” Melanie said. “He believed it would help me grow professionally, and he was right. I feel very happy and fulfilled now.” Her gratitude towards CareMalta and HILA reflects the strong professional relationships she has built over the years.
“HILA is a company that makes you feel seen as an employee and you are not just a number,” explained Melanie. This sense of recognition and value has been instrumental for her as she has discovered new ways to connect with the service users, enabling her to deliver care that truly makes a difference in their lives.
Melanie’s commitment is evident in her words. “To work in this sector is not an easy job; you need to feel a vocation,” she noted. “The sense of reward that this job gives me is immense. I’ve learned a new way to connect with the service users, reflecting the values that HILA applies every day: Choice, Dignity, Safety, Development, and Equality.”
Melanie Muscat’s journey from CareMalta to HILA demonstrates the resilience and adaptability required in the caregiving profession. Her story is proof of the profound impact that dedicated carers can have on the lives of those they support, and her ongoing commitment continues to inspire those around her.