The Mijas Town Hall and the Harena Foundation renew their collaboration in the 'Mijas con Alma y SolidarEDAD' programme, which has already assisted over 40 residents. The 'la Caixa' Foundation and CaixaBank contribute €10,000.
The Mijas Town Hall and the Harena Foundation have renewed their collaboration to combat unwanted loneliness among the elderly in the municipality. The agreement expands the work that both entities have been developing since 2024 and adds a contribution of €10,000 from the 'la Caixa' Foundation and CaixaBank for the 'Mijas con Alma y SolidarEDAD' programme.
The mayor of Mijas, Ana Mata, has met with representatives from Harena, the 'la Caixa' Foundation, and CaixaBank to formalise the renewal. The programme was launched in 2024 by the Family and Equal Opportunities delegation, which is headed by the mayor herself, and is based on supporting the elderly through a network of volunteers coordinated by the Harena Foundation.
The Town Hall identifies and communicates cases of elderly people living alone through the delegations of Seniors and Social Inclusion, with the collaboration of local associations. So far, the City Council has assisted over 40 individuals in situations of loneliness.
“Loneliness is one of the major scourges affecting society and it needs attention; in Mijas, we have already assisted over 40 people in situations of loneliness and we will continue to take many more steps in this direction,” assured Ana Mata.
The manager of Harena, Angie Moreno, explained that loneliness affects the elderly both emotionally and physically. Therefore, volunteers accompany each person for two hours a week and commit to providing support for at least a year.
“We accompany them weekly for two hours, with the commitment to do so for at least a whole year, with volunteers, because there are elderly people who really have no one and do not speak to anyone unless it is through this initiative,” detailed Moreno.
The programme includes home visits, walks, and group activities such as meals, games, and workshops. According to Moreno, these meetings allow participants to meet others in similar situations and expand their network of friendships.
The deputy director of the CaixaBank office in Mijas Pueblo, Rosa López, pointed out that the 'la Caixa' Foundation promotes the project to reach those in need.
“The goal is for people who have not chosen to be alone to feel accompanied,” affirmed López.
Elderly residents of Mijas who find themselves in situations of unwanted loneliness can contact the Town Hall's delegations of Seniors and Social Inclusion to request their inclusion in the programme.
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