HELP Vega Baja 'soldiering on'
HELP Vega Baja is a registered charity established over 40 years ago. Our aim is to support people in need and other likeminded charities. In ‘normal’ times we offer several services, in addition to the day-today advice and information we provide, including various friendship groups, support groups, talks and befriending service. Sadly, these have had to be put on hold until we receive the go ahead from the government.
From our office in San Miguel and helpdesk in La Marina urbanisation (San Fulgencio) we cover the Vega Baja area from La Marina urb down to Pilar de Horadada, and through to Orihuela inland. We also help people from further afield when this can be done, either by phone or email.
Our San Miguel centre is also where we have our charity shop and mobility equipment hire. We also offer a membership to the charity for just €10 a year, which can be applied for online at our website, www.helpvegabaja.com or at either of our offices. Membership provides numerous discounts and free services from local organisations, such as Quirónsalud hospital who offer our members annual blood analysis, dental clean etc. Other benefits include a €150 per annum free interpreter service which is a popular benefit for those attending their local doctor, hospital etc.
Over the years we have done everything we can to support people - as an example, when the floods hit the Vega Baja area in 2019 our charity donated more than €76,000, and much of this was directed towards those most affected by the flood disaster.
For us to remain in a position to support people we depend heavily on our volunteers, local businesses, and other supporters. Fundraising events and sales from our shop and market stall at Campoamor usually bring in funds that we can then pass on to families experiencing difficult times. However, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, our stall at the market has had to close, fundraising events are not permitted and sales in our shop have decreased considerably due to people (quite rightly) staying at home. The shop is now currently open on a Wednesday only to save costs on utilities etc. This has, and continues to have, a significant impact on the charity. Three floods in two weeks and the identification of rising damp has also left many volunteers feeling downhearted, but, as we always do here at HELP Vega Baja, we are all soldiering on! Our elected committee continues to work from home, and we are dealing with a huge increase in requests for support from families affected by the pandemic and loss of work, many of whom are in debt for rent and utilities and with little hope of employment soon. We offer food vouchers where possible to ensure that nobody goes without sustenance (we have discovered several families who have been doing what they can to meet their commitments by missing meals). One of the most important things that we have been doing is to inform people of relevant initiatives as they are announced, so that they may apply, and of course, where it is needed, having honest conversations about their future here in Spain.
Please don’t feel that life in our ‘charity world’ is all currently doom and gloom! Yes, things are difficult (as they are for all charities), but this is a time when we all pull together, and I know that our supporters, many of whom have been with us for many years, will do what they can to help us as we go through our lean times to ensure that we can, in turn, help others who otherwise would have nowhere to turn. As president, I am in a fortunate position that I can make that call to families when we are able to offer support and believe me the appreciation and relief that I hear is worth every additional hour we spend.
If you would like to support HELP Vega Baja by offering a donation, perhaps a standing order, however small, every cent will help us continue our work. Please visit our website at www.helpvegabaja.com for details of how you can support us, or contact our San Miguel centre by email to office@help vegabaja.com
HELP Vega Baja – helping people in the community for 41 years!