Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1528159
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 OCTOBER 2024 7 COMMERCIAL Beloved online site 'We Are Not A Shop' set to close AFTER four successful years of blending unique design with charitable fundraising, We Are Not A Shop will officially close its virtual doors on 17 December 2024. Founded by Lady Stephanie Laing, supported by the late Sir Martin Laing, this online store has become renowned for its carefully curated selection of unusual new and antique home- ware items, artworks, gifts and jewellery, with many pieces also promoting and preserving the local heritage – and all raising vital funds for two local char- ities, Save the Valletta Skyline Appeal and St John Ambulance and Rescue. To mark the occasion, We Are Not A Shop will host two Open House events on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 November, where shoppers can enjoy browsing one- of-a-kind Christmas gifts such as furniture, lamps, jewellery and Christmas decorations, as well as stocking fillers for all ages, prior to purchasing online. The events promise to be a great opportuni- ty for Christmas shopping, with a special 25% discount on all totals over €100. "We are immensely grateful to everyone who has supported We Are Not A Shop over the years," says Stephanie Laing. "This pro- ject began as an experiment, and we never imagined how many people would be touched by it or how much good it could do. Thanks to our customers, whom we will miss dearly, we've raised hundreds of thousands of euros for charity." Launched just before the pan- demic in 2020, the site operat- ed under a simple yet impactful model – every cent donated for the myriad items on offer went directly to charity, with absolute- ly no operational costs deducted. We Are Not A Shop was a prima- ry contributor to the Save the Val- letta Skyline Appeal, helping the Appeal to successfully raise the €9 million needed to complete the restoration of the iconic St Paul's Anglican Pro-Cathedral in Val- letta. Meanwhile, the popular site also supports St John Ambulance and Rescue, a volunteer organisa- tion providing first aid and rescue services across the island. To date, We Are Not A Shop has raised almost €200,000 for these hugely worthy causes. Shoppers can continue to pur- chase items online at www. wearenotashop.com until 17 De- cember, with offerings including Christmas gifts, faux flowers and plants, artwork, antique collect- ibles, books and homeware. The final stretch of We Are Not A Shop's journey will feature more opportunities for late-night shop- ping on 28 November and 7 De- cember. The two Open House events will be hosted by We Are Not A Shop on Friday 15 November from 10am to 6pm, and Saturday 16 November from 10am to 2pm. For more information and to make final purchases, visit www. wearenotashop.com Malta Public Transport launches employee assistance programme MALTA Public Transport has formalised the launch of its Em- ployee Assistance Programme. Through an agreement with the Richmond Foundation, this initiative marks a key step in the company's commitment to promoting mental health and emotional well-being among its employees, providing support services that aim to address mental health challenges within the workplace. The Employee Assistance Pro- gramme offers Malta Public Transport employees access to free, confidential mental health services, including therapy ses- sions, emotional support, and 24/7 help channels. These ser- vices, part of Richmond Foun- dation's programme – 'Healthy Minds Work', are designed to ensure that employees can seek help without the financial bar- riers or stigma that may oth- erwise prevent them from do- ing so. The collaboration with Richmond Foundation will also provide Malta Public Transport with professional guidance on how to address challenging sit- uations related to mental health and emotional well-being in the workplace. In addition to launching the Employee Assis- tance Programme, Malta Public Transport is preparing to roll out a Mental Health First Aid training programme. The aim of this separate initiative is to ensure that by 2025, a number of Malta Public Transport em- ployees will have completed the training. Achieving this target will enable Malta Public Trans- port to obtain a Bronze Skilled Workplace Certification, recog- nising the company's commit- ment to mental health support. The training will equip partic- ipants with the skills to assist colleagues facing mental health challenges, contributing to a healthier and more supportive work environment. Roderick Bajada, Human Re- sources Director at Malta Public Transport stated, "We are proud to be taking meaningful steps towards improving the mental health and emotional wellbeing of our employees. By launching the Employee Assistance Pro- gramme, we are creating an en- vironment where our workforce can feel supported. Looking ahead, our Mental Health First Aid training programme will further strengthen our ability to foster a culture of care and sup- port." This initiative reinforces the company's broader commit- ment to prioritising mental health and emotional well-be- ing, ensuring employees have access to both immediate sup- port and long-term mental health resources. (From left) Konrad Pulé, Malta Public Transport General Manager; Maria Agius, HR Executive – Internal Communications; Roderick Bajada, HR Director, Malta Public Transport; Daniela Calleja Bitar, CEO, Richmond Foundation; and Bernard Laus, Psychological Support Service Manager, Richmond Foundation