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23 - 29 july 2010
New volunteer computer system unveiled by Louise Clarke RTN, ALONG with a host of representatives from various British charitable organisations were invited along to the British Consulate in Alicante earlier this week to witness the official unveiling of a computerised voluntary work station. The work station, designed by the Foundation for Solidarity and Voluntary Work of the Valencian Community (FUNDAR), was presented to the Acting Consul, Lloyd Milen by Rafael Blasco who is the Valencian Regional Councillor for Solidarity and Citizenship and also the President of FUNDAR. British charities on the Costa Blanca are often praised for their hard work and dedication by not only the British Embassy and the government in the UK, but also by the Spanish authorities and now they will have the opportunity to put all their details onto the FUNDAR database, so that people can access essential information about the various associations and charities. TRANSLATION
Snr Blasco was very keen to open the work station, located within the waiting area at the Consulate. He told RTN: “We hope that
this will promote the integration of some 300,000 British people here in Valencia through volunteering and cooperation between associations.” There are 64 FUNDAR work stations scattered around the Valencia region including one in the OARI office in Torrevieja and although the station is not yet in English, plans are afoot to translate all the data on their so that non-Spanish speaking Brits can access them. The chief designer of the project, Jesus Molina, explained to the gathered audience how the system worked and Snr Blasco added: “This system supports the integration of a specific group based in the Region; the UK citizens, promoting social engagement and participation. It encourages cooperation between associations with local organisations, responding to the twin objectives of promoting integration and solidarity.” COMMITMENT
The Regional Minister then detailed the specific objectives of this voluntary workstation. He said: “The objective is to facilitate the process of integration of British people living in our Region, to promote
Age Concern President, Maureen Payne and Alzheimer’s Association Secretary Matilde Sanchez have a look at the new FUNDAR work station
their commitment and participation in the Valencian associative movement and to strengthen collaboration and cooperation between associations formed by both our native and our British residents.” To achieve this, the Minister announced that: “Both FUNDAR in the British Consulate and the Network of Voluntary Work Stations within the province of Alicante, are going to promote information campaigns and voluntary associations, aimed specifically at British residents in these municipalities; they will inform British charities about resources, services and programs developed by FUNDAR; and they will establish and invigorate partnerships working groups of British and local organisations, to identify common work areas and develop collaborative inter-
associative projects.” According to the latest municipal census, 141,470 people from the UK live in the Valencia region, however the British Consulate estimates that the actual number of British people living in the Valencian Community, including those who have not registered, is about 300,000 (another reason why it is important to sign on the ‘padron’ if you live here permanently). This official figure represents 40% of Britons in Spain and 16% of all immigrants surveyed in the Valencian Community. Nearly 90% of the British community in the Valencian region is located in the province of Alicante, with 127,561 registered on the census. In addition, one in every three foreigners registered in Alicante come from the UK.