WELCOME:
We were delighted to see so many of you at the Casa de Cultura yesterday to learn more about the changes we have made to the U3A Jávea Member Support Network.
Details of who we are and what we do can be obtained by looking at our Group Page on the U3A website – “Member Support Network” – see details and links at the end of this report.
The President, Claude Grealy, welcomed everyone, with a special word of thanks to the representatives of Help of Marina Alta, MABS Cancer Support, RadarSeniors, the Weary Warriors, Todos Juntos Jávea, Project4All and the Royal British Legion who took the time to participate for the benefit of our Members.
He also welcomed John Jardine, from the Sunday Solos Group (assisting those who find themselves alone), and Sandra Von Esebeck from the New Members Group, who will be the contact for the “Welcome New Neighbour” initiative (who will help those newly arrived in Javea and suddenly / unexpectedly find themselves looking for the local health services or similar).
He explained that the aim of the Support Network is simple – to be Good Neighbours and Good Samaritans, both to our Members and to the wider Community.
He said “We do not provide medical or other advice, we encourage people to seek proper professional advice and care, and we help them find that. We do not offer our personal opinion. But we DO offer a helping hand and a willing ear.”
THE MSN ‘TEAM’:
He introduced the U3A Support Network Team (all U3A Javea Members) as: Mike Frost (the Founder of the U3A Jávea), Steve Young (U3A Communications Officer & the MSN), Angela Rich (Contact / Helpline), Sylvia Broer (a former Clinical Nurse Manager), Matthijs Broer (link to the Dutch and other non-english speaking communities), Linda Grealy (email contact/support), and himself as Coordinator).
THE SUPPORT NETWORK:
He went on to explain the diagram from the Support Network Brochure, detailing the areas that the Network covers, and those that are still a bit of a ‘Work in Progress’. See below.
CONTACT US:
He explained that anyone can now Contact the Members Support Network via our WhatsApp number., as well as our email – see below.
Claude introduced Angela Rich (the WhatsApp / Phone contact – see above), who, as an ex-Manager of a Residential Care Home, has a huge amount of experience in helping people navigate their way through difficult times. Emails to the website go direct to Linda Grealy and Claude, who said “If we don’t know the answer to your query, we will find someone who does.”
He went on to explain how all the ‘Modules’ work (details of which will be included on our Members Support Network webpage on the U3A Javea website – click HERE to access the Support Network page)
HELP OF MARINA ALTA:
Claude then introduced Candy Wright MBE, from Help of Marina Alta. Help of Marina Alta was established 45 years ago to give practical help to people facing the challenges of growing older here in Spain.
They provide a huge range of in-hospital and home supports – too many to detail here (details will be posted on our Members Support Network webpage) – but they supply everything from real hospital beds (delivered!), hoists, wheelchairs, crutches, etc., etc.
They will be opening a new ‘shop’ (for collection/delivery of medical supplies/supports etc., and Help Information) in Javea in the coming weeks – details will issue asap). Candy gave a fascinating talk on ‘real-life’ cases / problems they have assisted with.
Candy shared a few of her top tips:
- Don’t assume that hospital doctors know anything about you
- Keep a written note of your height (in metres), your weight (in kgs) and any medication you’re taking
- Have a plan – it’s easier to put everything in place before you need it
- Get a Big Box – a simple plastic storage box into which you should put all of your key documents (passports, residencia, will, tax return, details of your solicitor, banking and savings accounts, any Power of Attorney and finally your medical details including any health insurance
- Plan now, not later
RADARSENIORS:
Claude then introduced Cristina Segura Alcala (the Coordinator of the RadarSeniors Programme here in Javea), and her colleague Carolina Lopez Jimenez.
They explained that RADARS had been set up in 2017 by Social Services here in Jávea to respond to the fact that nearly 25% of citizens here are over 65. The objective of the programme is to help an enable senior citizens to continue living in their homes and guarantee their well being.
A complicating factor in Javea is that we have high levels of extranjeros over 65, many from the UK, who have fairly low levels of support from family nearby, and suddenly find themselves in a vulnerable situation. RadarSeniors has come to the aid of many U3A members.
RADARS are there to encourage people and businesses in Jávea to look out for their neighbours and their dependants and to alert Radar. Their aim is to help them live independent lives with dignity, and to access the support to help them achieve that. RadarSeniors assess each case and devise a care plan directing each individual to the relevant care setting or organisation, based on their needs and resources.
Cristina emphasised the vital importance of having a clear plan for the future:
- Do you want to stay here in Spain or return to the UK?
- Do you want to stay in your own home or move to a care home?
- Adopt Candy’s Big Idea and Get a Big Box and keep everything important in it!
- Don’t wait too long before asking for help. Sometimes navigating the public health system in Spain can take time so don’t leave things until they are an emergency
MABS:
Next to speak was Jacqui Phillips MBE of MABS Cancer Foundation.
MABS celebrated their 25th anniversary last week! Jacqui set up MABS following her own experience with cancer and MABS are there to make sure that anyone suffering with cancer gets practical support to get through the disease. That might be the loan of medical equipment, a lift to the hospital or just someone to talk to. Jacqui told us that she leaves her phone on 24 hours of the day – there really are Guardian Angels in this world!
TODOS JUNTOS JÁVEA:
Then we heard from Jean Halse of Todos Juntos Jávea, who told us that, apart from helping the needy in the Pueblo of Javea, and various other projects, they collect funds to help ANYONE who finds themselves in a vulnerable position and without assistance.
WEARY WARRIORS DEMENTIA SUPPORT:
Claude explained that Lyn Baerfuss, the Founder of the Weary Warriors, was unfortunately unable to attend. However, Cheda Panajotovic represented the Warriors. He spoke eloquently of the hardships for those with dementia and their carers. The Warriors are committed to helping, in any way they can, those who come to them in need. Help of Marina Alta also help Dementia suffers, or their families – so we are all interlinked.
PROJECT4ALL & THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION:
Unfortunately, there was not enough time to speak about these two wonderful organisations – they will be given time and a platform at a future meeting.
CONCLUSION:
But we’ll leave the final words to Claude, summarising the day, he said “Our Member Support Network is there to let you know that you’re not alone. We, and our partners, are only a phone call or email away and we’ll always do our very best to find someone or something to help you face the future with confidence”.
We work closely with our partners, which is increasing with each new case we encounter:
Report by Steve Young – Communications Officer U3A Jávea
You can download the Member Support Network Brochure below
