What does Jalón Valley Help actually do?
FOR those of us living in ‘The Valley’, actually the Jalón and Orba valleys, Jalón Valley Help (JVH) is a name we know. We know it is a charitable organisation structured to help anyone in need in our community, irrespective of age or nationality. This probably is the limit of our knowledge of JVH, so, in a series of three consecutive articles, I want to explain:
• What JVH actually does to help people in need
• How JVH is funded
• How people can help JVH, as without our help no charity can continue its operations.
The organisation was founded in 1992 with the aim of providing help to anyone in need within the Jalón and Orba valleys, irrespective of age or nationality.
What do JVH mean by Help?
JVH does not give out cash, but instead it helps to provide short-term solutions to people’s problems, many of which are medical. For instance:
• You may need a driver to take you to hospital/medical appointments or a translator to assist you at such appointment
• You may be on your own or have recently lost a family member/friend, so you need support/somewhere to find a friendly face – JVH has a dropin centre at the Animo in Alcalalí where the ‘Ánimo family’ hold coffee mornings, Sunday afternoon tea, a craft group meeting each Thursday and a weekly seated keep-fit session
• You may need additional care or medical equipment following an operation. JVH loans wheelchairs, commodes, walking frames and even hospital beds free of charge, although they do require a deposit against non-return
With Cancer Care Jávea they provide a weekly cancer support drop-in, each Thursday at the Ánimo.
They have a 24-hour helpline to answer any emergencies.
They support several other local caring organisations including Cáritas, Gandia men’s
hostal, ADIMA (a Spanish organisation supporting people with learning disabilities, women’s refuge, and also supported Home4U to help the Ukrainian refugees.
Last year alone JVH donated €16,000 to local caring organisations, spent €55,000 on social care for individuals, raised €13,000 for Help4U and helped them to furnish and equip homes and to provide clothes for Ukrainian refugees.
Currently, in 2023, JVH have more than 160 items of equipment, ranging from hosspective pital beds to walking frames, out on loan in 30 towns and villages within ‘The Valley’, from Castells in the west, to Ráfol de Almunia in the north, Jávea and Moraira on the coast and Benissa in the south. In certain cases of need, JVH has also loaned specific equipment to people outside ‘The Valley’, going as far north as Pego/Oliva and to Calpe/Altea in the south. Although the main focus area is around the towns of Jalón, Alcalalí, Parcent, and Orba. These loans are all made irreof nationality.
Each year JVH organises, with the support of the municipal authorities, its very popular ‘Carols in the Square’ in December in Jalón, Alcalalí and Orba - when the charity says thanks to the residents for their support during the year.
Obviously all this help costs money, and equally important ly it requires time from committed volunteers. Could you be a part of this friendly locally based charity? We all have something to give, so let’s not put off volunteering until a friend or family member actually needs JVH’s help. Let’s volunteer our services today.
My next article will address how JVH is funded, and my third article will look in detail at how we can each support JVH.
See our website www.jalon valleyhelp.com for details of the amazing things the organisation does within our communities, or call its president Pam Brooks on 634 310 415 to discuss how you can help with time or donations.