The City Council and Fundación Cudeca will train volunteers to combat loneliness among the elderly

The agreement aims to combat unwanted loneliness through a volunteer accompaniment and training program.

The Estepona City Council informs of the collaboration agreement reached with the Cudeca Foundation to launch a social volunteering program aimed at assisting elderly people who suffer from unwanted loneliness. This initiative responds to one of the most urgent social challenges of our time: the aging of the population and the progressive disconnection of many elderly people from their family, neighborhood and community environment.

The councilman assigned to the Elderly area, Daniel García, has pointed out that "unwanted loneliness is a public health problem that directly impacts the physical, mental and emotional health of the elderly. Despite its seriousness, it remains a silent reality that affects many seniors in their daily lives." For this reason, the City Council has reached a collaboration agreement with the Cudeca Foundation to develop initiatives that address this problem in a direct and close way.

The mayor has pointed out that volunteering has always had an essential relevance in the city. In this sense, he has indicated that this collaboration aims to train volunteers to accompany, listen and be present in an active and respectful way with those who need it most. It is not only about keeping company, but also about offering a meaningful link that gives back to these people their voice, their history and their sense of belonging to the community.

Daniel García, emphasized that "this agreement with Cudeca is an important step in the comprehensive care of our elderly. We cannot allow anyone to grow old feeling alone or without support. Through volunteering, we strengthen the community network and value the importance of accompanying with sensitivity and respect". She also invited the public to participate in this program, noting that "anyone with a little time and a lot of desire to help can make a real difference in the life of another".

As for the training of volunteers, Eva Víbora Martín, from Cudeca's volunteer and research department, explained that the training program will address both practical and emotional aspects of accompaniment, including affective communication skills, the design of meaningful activities, dealing with complex situations and knowledge of environmental resources. "All of this with an ethical approach and a commitment to human dignity," he stressed.

For her part, Inmaculada Ruiz, head of Cudeca's volunteer program, stressed that this program is increasingly necessary due to the change in the family model in our society. "Therefore, it is necessary to create a strong network of volunteers to serve people in need," she said.

In addition, the mayor of Social Welfare, Maria Aguilar, has reported that there will be 30 places available for this volunteer training, encouraging both associations and individuals to register. "We invite all those interested to participate by writing to the mail voluntarios@estepona.es

With this initiative, the City Council of Estepona and Cudeca reaffirm their commitment to creating a more just, empathetic and caring society, where no one has to face old age alone. It is also a call to citizens to join as volunteers and be an active part of the change.