CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS NEWS AGE CONCERN MENORCA LIFELINE

One of the most important services that Age Concern offers is called Lifeline. As the recipients of help from Lifeline are kept in complete confidence it is often the case that no one has heard of what it has done and what it can or cannot do

Initially it is there as a confidential service to offer help and information on key problems which we all at some time might face, for example:

• My mother has a new hip and is on her own, what help can she expect to get on Menorca?

• We have just heard our father needs some medical treatment, is it possible for a translator to accompany him to medical consultations?

• We don’t know if Social Services can help with our problem, could someone come with us to meet them?

As a small island there are few facilities for care and recuperation but at Age Concern we hope that Lifeline can point people in the right direction of the excellent facilities that are available.

Lifeline does not provide care or long-term financial solutions but we are always prepared to look at individual needs on a one-off support basis, either through financial help, medical support or long term loan of equipment. (Our own Medical Equipment Service offers only short-term loans.)

One of our regular developments with Lifeline has been the provision of a Christmas Hamper of “Goodies “to people on the island who need a boost at this time of year. The hampers are very well received. Many of our regular supporters offer items for the hampers too.

Carole, our previous Shop Manager, coordinates Lifeline. She has a small team of volunteers who help out with individual cases. She is always looking for new recruits to help with the many individuals we try to help. Here is a little background to our Lifeline coordinator. Carole tells some of her story,

‘I first visited Menorca in 1978 with my family and stayed in Santa Ana and fell in love with the Island. We visited many times over the next few years and bought an apartment in Es Castell in 1984, finally moving here permanently in June 1993.

‘In UK I worked as a pharmacy assistant for two years, five years in care homes for the elderly then opened my own residential home in 1983. After running the home for ten years we decided to move to Menorca to “live the dream”, but I got bored after six months not working.

Over the years I have worked in Tourism as Health and Safety and Airport Supervisor, then for Salus as PR/Translator then setting up a business delivering “Welcome Packs” to all the major Tour Operators, then running the Coach and Horses for a year before starting to work for Age Concern as Shop Manager in 2014.

Since 2018 I have also been responsible for our helpline, “Lifeline”, which brings me back to my “roots” as helping the elderly which I find extremely rewarding.

Age Concern was set up by volunteers to assist the elderly of any nationality and provide social events and advice to all and we help wherever we can!

I retired from work in 2022 but still work on the Lifeline as a volunteer but we are always looking for people to volunteer so if you have an hour to spare, please get in touch with the Shop Manager, Lee. If you speak Spanish or any language we need your help visiting people in hospital or at home, helping with medical appointments, doctor’s visits etc; or just giving advice or helping to fill in forms.

Lifeline has its own confidential telephone line and email: Mobile 0034 676904487 email lifelineacmin@gmail.com

KEY INFORMATION:

Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday, 09.45 – 13.15. (Closed Afternoons)

For the latest information and current offers follow us on facebook or visit our website.

General Email: Menorca@Ageconcern.org.es

Visit Our Website: Www.ageconcernmenorca.com

Follow Us On Facebook: Age Concern Menorca 2015

Social Secretary: Menorca@Ageconcern.org.es

Sandy: 699 901 777 or 650 729 439

Chris: 669 949 370

Membership Secretary:menorca@Ageconcern.org.es

620 017 437

Lifeline: Lifelineminac@Gmail.com

676 904 487

Medical & Mobility Equipment Loan

By Appointment Only: Acmenorcamedequip@Gmail.com

629 016 307

Shop: Menorca@Ageconcern.org.es

971 156 110

Shop Manager: Menorca@Ageconcern.org.es

636 347 286

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT!