Baking Bridges – ITS students and National Mental Health Services patients unite to celebrate festive occasions with culinary delights
The Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) is collaborating with the national Mental Health Services (NMHS) for students to actively contribute to the wellbeing of society by baking seasonal sweet delights for mental health patients.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg, and the Minister for Health and Active Ageing Jo Etienne Abela, announced this collaboration at Mount Carmel Hospital, in the presence of ITS students and officials, representatives of the NMHS, and officials from the two ministries.
This collaboration, entitled Baking Bridges: Nourishing Minds and Hearts, forms part of the two entities’ corporate social responsibility commitments, to strengthen the national fabric through community engagement and culinary therapy. To launch this initiative, the students are baking some 260 traditional figolli for the Hospital’s patients ahead of Easter. ITS students and lecturers will also prepare seasonal sweets for patients at Christmas, New Year, Carnival, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, among other annual festivities.
The project also includes professional training for ITS student support, delivered by mental health experts. This will continue to reinforce mental health awareness on the ITS Campus, towards a more informed, attentive environment for students who may be navigating their own mental health journeys.
This partnership between ITS and NMHS presents a proactive approach to corporate social responsibility, giving students the chance to apply their skills in a real-world setting while learning that hospitality is not limited to hotels and restaurants but can also be a powerful tool to offer care and support to the wider community.
Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg noted that this initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to placing wellbeing at the centre of education and community life. “This is an opportunity for ITS students to further develop their skills while understanding the true meaning of hospitality, fostering care, empathy, and human connection. Baking Bridges is a strong example of how students can be encouraged to support others, developing a sense of community, as they learn to be kind and responsible professionals.”
Minister Jo Etienne Abela said that this collaboration between the National Mental Health Services and ITS represents greater solidarity and appreciation towards individuals experiencing mental health challenges. This agreement builds on other initiatives that the Ministry is continuously undertaking to further raise awareness about mental health issues. “I hope that this collaboration will grow stronger, and I look forward to further partnerships that will benefit patients, while increasing awareness and continuing to overcome the stigmas associated with mental health challenges,” Dr Abela concluded.
The Chief Executive Officers of the NMHS and the ITS, Roseanne Camilleri and Pierre Fenech, signed the collaboration agreement.
Going forward, ITS and NMHS will continue evaluating this initiative’s impact to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability, reaffirming a shared commitment to elevating education and valuing mental health, while reminding that small gestures could make a big difference.
Photos: DOI/MFT
