Soltra News #29 English

SOLTRA awarded by the CGPJ for its work in labor inclusion · Traces of Inclusion in the award ceremony of the micro story contest - Ninth aniversary of Mrs Cinia Residence - SOLTRA CINIA Mexico joins Decathlon for the manufacture of sporting goods- Pedro Luis Fernández , Solidarity Heart and much more...

When we talk about inclusion we all imagine helping a person with a disability so that he/she can perform acts that he/she could not do by him/herself. This is part of inclusion but inclusion does not end here, we will only achieve it when the person with a disability can participate in society without help from anyone or with very little help, because this is what they do in SOLTRA, that the person with a disability after a process of help can work alone, can go to work unaccompanied by anyone, I say this because when I have had the opportunity to talk to a person with a disability, they have assumed that they are different from others, a fact that makes me very sad, because the culprit of this fact is the society that sometimes seems to be more concerned about putting barriers to people than to pave the way for them.

I have to say that I got to know SOLTRA through a visit that I made as Prosecutor to the residence Mrs. Cinia, when I entered the premises and saw that group of workers and was able to talk to some of them, I thought, this is really inclusion, because all I saw was people working, happy with what they were doing and what they had achieved.

I have to admit that they gave me a real lesson because it wasn’t me who was giving them a talk

... Inclusion will only be achieved when the person with a disability participates in society with little or no help from anyone.

about the rights that the law recognizes for people with disabilities, it was them who were opening my eyes and allowing me to see what is really important in life and how with a little help, with a little push, SOLTRA people were achieving something so great, so wonderful and often so little appreciated, because I still hear people say that people who are in SOLTRA are just hanging out or that they are entertained, to these I can only answer that it is not true, that what is done there is to train people who have a lot to teach us to society.

A few days after visiting SOLTRA’s facilities with some prosecutors who were doing internships in the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of León, the annual awards of the Forum of Justice and Disability were announced and I did not hesitate for a minute to promote SOLTRA for these awards because what is intended to put in value with these awards coincides with the work done in this company and I have to say that it was not a mere feeling of mine, but it was also perceived by the jury because they won. A fact that made me a tremendous illusion, not because I was the one who had proposed them, but because they were getting a national recognition of the work they are doing so discreetly.

I only have words of gratitude for all the people who make SOLTRA possible, because with their work they are making society fairer, I only hope that public or private institutions do not prevent the growth of this activity.

I also want to remember the residence Mrs. Cinia, which as I said was the access way to know SOLTRA, the work that is done on a daily basis in that center with the people who live there is exceptional, I have witnessed the evolution of many of them, so I have not hesitated to congratulate them in public, congratulations that should be extended to all those who work in the residence because they are largely to blame for the success they are achieving with residents.

Finally I want to thank you all: the residents of Mrs. Cinia, the workers of the residence, the workers of SOLTRA, all of you who make SOLTRA possible because without realizing it you have helped me a lot not only as a Prosecutor but also as a person, which is even more important. Keep up the good work despite the bumps you may encounter on your way, because it is worth it.

Francisco Javier Gutiérrez Hernández Prosecutor for Disability in León

Edita: SOLTRA

Dirección: Gemma González Redacción, diseño y maquetación: María F. Torre Depósito Legal: LE-561-2012

C/ Monseñor Ramón Zubieta 9 La Virgen del Camino 24198 - León T 987 300 731 info@soltra.org - www.soltra.org

SOLTRA awared by the CGPJ for its work on labor inclusion

In the XV edition of the Justice and Disability Forum Awards, organized by the General Council of the Judiciary, held on May 19 at its headquarters in Madrid, SOLTRA was the entity awarded with the recognition “to a business action” for its commitment to the inclusion of people with disabilities in the labor market.

SOLTRA’s General Manager, José Antonio Idoeta, received the award from the Minister of Justice, Pilar Llop. Idoeta stressed the importance of people in achieving the goal of inclusion, pointing out that “we are all capable, so we must talk about capabilities, rights and opportunities”.

The “Career Achievement Award” was given to Gonzalo López Ebri, Deputy Public Prosecutor of the Valencian Community, for his work in protec-

ting people with disabilities and revealing abuses and irregularities committed by guardians. López Ebri also contributed to the elimination of the acquittal excuse in the Penal Code in cases of property crimes committed between family members in situations of abuse of vulnerability.

In the category “to an institution”, the recognition went to AMAI TLP, a non-profit foundation that helps people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and their families in the field of healthcare, learning and social integration. The award “to a social media” was presented to Juan Antonio Ledesma, a journalist with disabilities, for his contribution to make this group visible through his work in different media and entities.

The president of the General Council of the Judiciary, Rafael Mozo, encouraged all institutions and society in general to continue working to break down the barriers that hinder access to justice for people with disabilities.

The organization of these awards reflects the relevance that for all members of the institution acquires the social commitment to this cause and that helps “to promote greater awareness of it, giving greater visibility not only to the challenges but also to the progressive advances that are being made in the field of disability”.

Traces of INCLUSION at the awards ceremony of Hazte Incluencer

Last June, the awards ceremony of the micro-story contest “Hazte Incluencer” was held, corresponding to the inclusion campaign carried out by SOLTRA and aimed at sixth grade schoolchildren. This contest, titled “What is being an Incluencer?”, promotes literary creativity among students and helps them to reflect on the situation of disability in today’s society.

This edition, Hazte Incluencer campaign has had the participation of a total of 30 educational centers including León city, Carrizo de la Ribera, Astorga, La Virgen del Camino, Trobajo del Camino, Bembibre, Mansilla de las Mulas, Villadangos and Sahagún. In addition, the IES Maestro Haedo school in Za-

mora and the San Viator school in Madrid also joined this initiative, reaching a total of 1575 schoolchildren.

Among all the participants, Natalia Rodríguez Blanco from Leonés San Isidoro school stood out as the winner of this year’s micro-story contest.

In addition to the winner, several finalists have been selected whose micro-stories have also impressed the jury: CEIP Antonio González de Lama: Laila Bermúdez Martínez, CEIP Trepalio: Nora Díez González, Divina Pastora: Cecilia Sanz Pandiella, La Asunción: Angélica González Alonso, Leonés Corredera: Marcelo Ameijide López, Leonés José Aguado: Alfonso

Toral Domínguez, Maristas San José: Sofía Braña Padierna, CEIP Puente Castro: Vania Martínez Pérez, CEIP Fray Bernardino de Sahagún: Alba Pablos Villena, San José Agustinas: Sofía Álvarez Arias, Santa Teresa: Leonardo Alonso Gallego.

The awards day was very special, as the winner and the finalists had the opportunity to collaborate with the renowned graffiti artist Manuel García in the creation of a graffiti for inclusion. This work of art has been painted in the sports center of La Virgen del Camino, leaving a valuable message of equality and respect.

During the event, the awards ceremony took place, in which each student had the opportunity to read his or her micro-story in front of the audience, sharing his or her reflections and thoughts, promoting awareness and awareness of the importance of inclusion in our society.

From here, we want to convey our sincere thanks to all schools, teachers and students, who have made possible the success of this inclusion campaign, and also thank the City Council of Valverde de la Virgen and Manuel García and Mario for their total willingness to carry out the development of this Mural of Inclusion.

I denne udgave har mere end 1.500 elever deltaget i kampagnen “Bliv inkluencer” rettet mod skoler.

Vinderen af dette års minihistorie konkurrence var Natalia Rodriguez. Under prisoverrækkelsen kunne hun og finalisterne dele deres historie med de fremmødte. Senere skabte de, sammen med graffitikunstneren Manuel García, et vægmaleri om Inklusion på væggen i sportshallen i La Virgen del Camino.

Goals for INCLUSIÓN with Abanca Ademar

León Sports Arena was the venue for Inclusion Match held on April 26, which pitted Abanca Ademar León against a team of workers from the company SOLTRA in an entertaining match.

Accompanied by a lively audience in the stands and a box with representatives of various associations and local authorities, members of both teams played a match full of complicity and healthy competitiveness. With goals and good handball, inclusion was the protagonist of this encounter with two periods of ten minutes.

At half-time, the Inclusion Goal contest was held, in which members of Amidown, CRE San Andrés and Residencia Dña. Cinia participated, and all participants received a souvenir of

this exciting day from the Ademar Club and SOLTRA.

Match for Inclusion is an activity carried out within the campaign Hazte Incluencer promoted by SOLTRA. A movement that seeks INCLUENCERS, influencers of INCLUSION.

An afternoon full of illusion that leaves an unforgettable memory for all those present and that demonstrated once again that sport is an ideal tool to promote the values of tolerance and diversity, so important to achieve a society in which we are all included.

Sportscentret i León var skuepladsen for kampen for inklusion mellem Ademar balonmano og holdet bestående af SOLTRA-medarbejdere, der blev afholdt den 26. april. Derudover, i pausen fandt konkurrencen Mål for Inklusion sted, hvor forskellige medlemmer af diverse foreninger fra León deltog, og alle modtog en lille souvenir. En dag fuld af inklusion til at kæmpe for et samfund, hvor vi alle er inkluderet

SOLTRA

participates in Vegalsa´s CSR day Reliable Springboards

Last June we participated together with more than 70 entities in the conference organized by Vegalsa Eroski.

“Reliable Springboards” was the slogan chosen for this 2023, a decision inspired by the revelation experienced by the protagonist of the novel The Catcher in the Rye when he realizes that his little sister is willing to follow his steps in the vital disorientation; and decides to turn his life around. The underlying idea is the creation of guides, tools, values and self-esteem to face vital leaps through confidence.

In response to this leitmotiv, the day was structured around six discussion tables, whose titles corresponded to the names of different sporting leaps, with the active participation of more than fifteen entities.

SOLTRA participated in the round table that referred to the pole vault on “Inclusion in the workplace “, talking about our experience in the two inclusive supermarkets it has in León; this debate was attended by Josean Idoeta, CEO of SOLTRA, Pedro Suarez, director of franchises of Vegalsa Eroski, and Mario Fernández and Fernando Suárez, workers of SOLTRA supermarkets in León.

In 2019, SOLTRA opened the first inclusive supermarket in Castilla y León managed by people with different abilities in the town of Puente Villarente. In 2023, the town of Veguellina de Órbigo in León has been chosen as the location for the opening of a second establishment with the same characteristics. During his speech, Idoeta highlighted the importance of this innovati-

ve project that has arisen in the field of social economy. Its main objective is to continue generating new job prospects for people with disabilities but also to address other deficiencies existing in rural areas, promoting adequate services or employment opportunities to prevent the depopulation phenomenon that threatens these regions.

Ninth anniversary of Mrs Cinia Residence

Last May 5, a very special event was celebrated at Mrs Cinia Residence and Occupational Center, as it was nine years since its opening. This project, which opened its doors in May 2014 in the former facilities of the Dominicans, in La Virgen del Camino, has been instrumental in promoting community inclusion and autonomy for people with mental illness.

Mrs Cinia Residence and Occupational Center is a resource in which each person receives an individualized plan tailored to their needs, interests and preferences while respecting their decision-making capacity. Through efficient coordination with the different devices and institutional sectors, it ensures supportive treatment for people with mental illness, promoting their independence and

self-sufficiency as well as their participation in the community.

Occupational Center also has a Personalized Itineraries and Socio-laboral Insertion Program that adapts to the abilities and interests of each person. It currently offers itineraries in the automotive, laundry, cleaning and gardening sectors.

These itineraries are designed to provide participants with the opportunity to acquire specific skills and knowledge in each of these occupational fields. Through specialized training, internships and personalized accompaniment, they seek to enhance the competencies necessary to perform tasks related to automotive, laundry, space cleaning and garden care.

Each itinerary is adapted to the individual needs of the participants, taking into account their previous skills, preferences and professional goals. Comprehensive support is provided in the search for job opportunities in the corresponding sector, establishing links with companies and employers that value diversity and inclusion in the work environment.

Through these itineraries, the aim is to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities, promoting their inclusion in the labor market and their full participation in society.

SOLTRA Foundation works with the participants, providing the necessary support so that they can develop their skills and reach their maximum potential in the selected sector.

On the occasion of this significant date, a day full of exciting activities was organized for the residents. The day began with a Mini-Challenge competition, in which participants tested their skills and abilities in different challenges. It was an opportunity to enjoy moments of fun and camaraderie, fostering team spirit and fellowship among the residents.

The highlight of the celebration was the eagerly awaited Musical Gala. The professionals of the residence, with their talent and art, provided musical performances that captivated all those present.

An atmosphere full of magic in which each performance was received with enthusiasm and

applause from the audience.

The Musical Gala was not only an opportunity to showcase the artistic talent of the residence’s professionals, but also to celebrate the achievements and progress of the residents. It was a moment to recognize their courage and determination in their journey towards inclusion and autonomy.

Den 5. maj fejrer vi 9 års jubilæum for Doña Cinia-residensen. Dette projekt har været afgørende for at fremme inklusion i fællesskabet af mennesker med psykisk sygdom.

For at fejre denne vigtige dato blev der arrangeret forskellige aktiviteter i centret. Af dem alle var den mest fremragende musikgallaen, hvor de professionelle fra residensen demonstrerede deres kunstneriske talent og glædede de tilstedeværende med musikalske optrædener fuld af dans og sjov.

Celebrities visit SOLTRA CINIA México to promote Inclusion

Recognition and visibility of work done by people with disabilities are fundamental aspects for building an inclusive and equitable society. SOLTRA CINIA Mexico has had the honor of welcoming distinguished personalities to its facilities.

One of these illustrious visits was Rigoberta Menchú Tum, renowned activist and defender of the rights of indigenous peoples. Menchú Tum, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992 and the Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation in 1998, toured SOLTRA CINIA Mexico’s facilities to learn about the work being carried out there.

At the end of the tour, Menchú expressed her honor to meet the people who, with their hands, build history. She recognized that it is not just about ha-

ving an object, but about experiencing the love and dedication of people with disabilities. In addition, she shared a message of sensitivity and hope, emphasizing that disability is not a barrier to happiness, dignified work, illusion, creativity and the ability to brighten the lives of others, “those hands that for some may represent a disability, actually dignify the true meaning of the word work.”

SOLTRA CINIA Mexico also had the privilege of welcoming Mariana Ochoa, actress and singer, member of one of Mexico’s most successful pop groups, OV7. Impressed by all the activities she witnessed at the venue, Ochoa pointed out the importance of the inclusion of people with disabilities in society. For Ochoa, giving them the opportunity to work is fundamental for them to achieve their independence and personal deve-

lopment. He stressed that the talents and abilities of people with disabilities should not go unnoticed, but should be valued and actively promoted.

SOLTRA CINIA México joins forces with Decathlon for the manufacture of sports equipment

After an arduous certification process and dedicated hours of work that spanned over a year, we can announce the start of our first project in collaboration with Decathlon: SHELTER 1 PAX, an innovative shelter with a traditional rod structure. This shelter is designed with a main fabric composed of 75D Polyester fibers coated with polyurethane, which guarantees excellent sun protection with UPF 50+ rating. In addition, ease of transport and assembly has been prioritized, offering a practical solution for adventurers.

The implementation of this project will generate the creation of 20 new jobs. The inputs used to manufacture the shelter come from local suppliers as well as from Vietnam and China, allowing for global collaboration.

In a first phase, an order of 3,500 units has been placed to meet the demand of the Mexican market. This figure is expected to increase with additional orders from other Latin American countries. This project lays the groundwork for future projects.

Another star in the sky

Our colleague and friend Rosario Serrano passed away a few days ago. Born in Poblano, and possessing an enviable strength, she was able to overcome at middle age the blindness caused by Steven Johnson syndrome.

As receptionist and telephone operator of SOLTRA CINIA for 16 years, she was the cheerful voice that answered every call and the first contact for every visit, in charge of teaching a little of the company’s history during the tours. In addition, she was always attentive and happy to attend special missions: whether it was contacting a key person, finding a precise address, being the image of interviews or persuading a potential client. It was impossible to leave CINIA without carrying her in your memory.

From here, our love and appreciation, may her soul fly to heaven.

SOLTRA CINIA México: meeting highest social standards

In a world increasingly aware of the importance of social responsibility and sustainability, at SOLTRA we strive to meet the standards and norms that guarantee these ethical practices. One of these standards is the SMETA audit (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit), a rigorous evaluation process that seeks to ensure fair labor conditions, good environmental practices and ethical management of the supply chain by ensuring that all agents involved in this chain are fair and socially responsible.

SOLTRA CINIA Mexico has recently successfully passed this audit, thus achieving the following benefits that this recognition brings:

Improved labor practices: the SMETA audit evaluates labor conditions, including occupational health and safety, equal

opportunities and fair wages. Identifying and addressing any shortcomings in these areas helps to improve working conditions, promoting a safe, fair and ethical working environment.

Compliance: ensures that we act in accordance with applicable current and future labor and ethical laws and regulations.

Transparency and trust: a sign of our commitment to clarity and accountability. An approach that increases the confidence of customers, suppliers and other stakeholders.

Risk management: The SMETA audit analyzes risk management in areas such as supply chain, safety and occupational health. It identifies potential risks, helping us to strengthen our ability to prevent problems.

Improve supplier performance: SMETA provides a Corrective Action Plan and is an efficient audit as data can be shared with multiple buyers reducing the number of audits required.

Congratulations to the entire SOLTRA CINIA team for this recognition.

1.- How did you learn about SOLTRA?

We were told about SOLTRA at Condesa Health Center, specifically by the social educator.

2.- What attracted you the most about SOLTRA for your son’s training? We had heard very good things about SOLTRA, in fact we knew a person who worked here and she was very happy. They put us in touch with the Personalized Itinerary Program and through this training Omar found the job he was looking for.

3.- At what age did your children start working at SOLTRA? Omar was 29 years old at that time.

4.- How long has he been with the company now? Approximately two years, although have

Great Parents

PARENTS: Roberto García

SON: Omar

Age: 31

Job: Operario Automoción

not been consecutive

5.- What progress do you think your son has made during this time?It has helped him to socialize more. It encourages him in his day to day life and gives him a lot of motivation. In the periods when he is not working he feels very sad and unmotivated.

6.- Do you have more children? Yes, Omar has a little brother who has always supported him in everything.

7.- What aspects would you highligh about SOLTRA? The humanity and the treatment they give to the workers. They take great care of the people, both the managers and the Support Units..

8.- What aspects would you improve about SOLTRA?

I can’t think of anything to improve, perhaps if they had more work so that employment would be more stable.

9.- What is the main quality of your son?

Omar is a very conscientious person. He has always been a fighter and has a great self-esteem. He didn’t stop until he managed to get his high school diploma at the age of 24, since his school didn’t make it easy for him to get it because of his disability. He is very responsible.

10.- What do you think SOLTRA has contributed to your family?

Above all, the satisfaction of seeing Omar happy and fulfilled. If I see my son happy, I am happy.

TEXTILE

At our headquarters in Mexico, we have been manufacturing high quality garments for more than 15 years, offering complete design, cutting, sewing, embroidery and sublimation services. In the year 2021, we decided to transfer our experience and knowledge to León, where we have started a new textile project under the name “Looms with Inclusion”.

Our collection of textile products is handmade in Spain, with a focus on quality and price competitiveness. We have a wide variety of items, from clothing to personalized gifts, all of them made with fabrics that meet the highest quality standards.

At “Looms with Inclusión”, we strive to promote job creation and support people who face barriers in the labor market. Our goal is not only to offer exceptional textile products, but also to generate a positive impact on society by providing decent work opportunities and promoting inclusion.

How would you define yourself? Imaginative, cheerful and hard working

How long do you sleep?

6 or 7 hours

One hobby? Walking

One film? Titanic

One sport? Swimming

Your favourite meal? Spanish Omelette

Anything you hate? Lies

What do you like most aboutSOLTRA?

The work they do in generating employment for those who have the hardest time

What would you change at SOLTRA? Right now I wouldn’t Know

How would you define yourself? Responsible and optimistic

How long do you sleep?

6 hours

One hobby? Walking with my dog

One film? The color purple

One sport? Swimming

Your favourite meal? Paella

Anything you hate? Treason and vanity

What do you like most about SOLTRA?

Support received at the beginning of the textil workshop

What would you change at SOLTRA?

Better planning and incentives

ROCIO GARCÍA Section Manager Age? 52

AZUCENA GONZÁLEZ Clothing Worker Age? 63

Age? 64

How would you define yourself? Sincere, cheerful and spontaneous

How long do you sleep? 5 or 6 hours

One hobby?

Many but not practical

One film? Champions

One sport?

I don´t do but I like dancing

Your favourite meal?

Octopus and vegetables

Anything you hate?

Hipocrisy

What do you like most about SOLTRA?

Integration and flexibility.

What would you change at SOLTRA? Medical hours

Age? 50

How would you define yourself? Cooperative, active...

How long do you sleep? 7 hours

One hobby? Animal care and rescue

One film? Matrix

One sport? Soccer and motorcycling

Your favourite meal? Paella

Anything you hate?

Hipocrisy

What do you like most about SOLTRA?

Schedule and fellowhip

What would you change atSOLTRA? That we were consulted when making changes

¿Edad? 55

¿Cómo te definirías? Very active

¿Cuánto sueles dormir? 6 hours

¿Un hobby? Plants and sports

¿Una película? The Notebook

¿Un deporte? Spinning

¿Una comida preferida? Spanish Omelette

¿Algo que detestes?

Hipocresy

¿Qué es lo que más te gusta de SOLTRA? Inclusion

¿Qué mejorarías de SOLTRA? More natural light

CONCEPCIÓN MOLDES Clothing Worker

SONIA MÉNDEZ Clothing Worker

CARMEN LÓPEZ Clothing Worker

Pedro Luis Fernández

GAM Chairman

Your beginnings at Carretillas del Principado S.L. in 1988 marked the start of a successful career. Could you tell us a little about your experience in those early years?

I appreciate your assessment of my career. I am not sure if it can be considered successful or not, but certainly the beginnings were not easy. In any case, it was a great opportunity that marked the beginning of my professional path and laid the foundations and values that have rooted my career.

Throughout these years you have lived through different moments at the business level, in fact, Monteserín’s book “The danger of success ... and survive it” is about GAM and the story of people who break paradigms.

For me, it is a combination of perseverance, humility and work capacity, with an eye on the future and the conviction that what you do has meaning and value.

Corporate social responsibility is an important topic today. What are GAM’s initiatives in terms of social responsibility and how do they impact the community and employees?

Solidarity Heart

At GAM we continue to advance in our mission to be a collaborative, sustainable company committed to people, the environment and our customers. We firmly believe that people are the driving force of our company, so we have a duty to ensure the well-being of all those who are part of GAM, but also of society as a whole.

With this commitment, sustainability and innovation drive the transformation of our company towards a conscious, responsible and demanding business model that is based on experience and excellence. To achieve this, we have a strategic sustainability plan, Embracing Sustainability. It is structured in four differentiated and interrelated axes: circular economy, sustainable energy and mobility, business transformation and social innovation.

Thanks to this strategic plan, we have already achieved that almost 80% of our fleet is zero emissions, that 95% of our energy consumption comes from green sources and that 90% of our workforce has permanent contracts, among other objectives.

It should also be noted that in the GAM group we believe that

social collaboration with our environment is very important. Therefore, we have spent years creating synergies with different organizations (Soltra, Red Cross, Bosquia, Viche Association, COCEMFE, World Central Kitchen, Movember Foundation...) trying to generate a positive impact on our society.

One of GAM’s mottos has been “The impossible is surmountable and desirable”, something we share at SOLTRA. What are GAM’s future plans in terms of inclusion of people with disabilities?

Based on an Equality Plan, at GAM we have diversity policies that cover issues of age or gender, disability or professional training and experience.

With regard to the inclusion of people with disabilities, the company is currently we employ six people from this group, but our goal is and will always be to go further. We want to encourage their integration into our company. To this end, we are constantly working on initiatives and programs in the short and medium term that will enable us to increase their hiring rates.

Solidarity Heart

A few days ago our CEO Jose Antonio Idoeta participated in your Social Innovation space “Chatting at GAM” with the topic Empowering Capacities, Generating Opportunities. Do you see a possible future collaboration between GAM and SOLTRA in this area?

More than future, I would say that the collaboration between GAM and Soltra is present and current. Our machinery remanufacturing plant, Reviver, designed to give a second life to machinery and its components through a circular economy system, will employ around 300 people from the very first moment of its inauguration.

Thanks to the collaboration agreement we have with SOLTRA, 20% of these new jobs will be filled by people with diverse abilities, who will be able to develop professionally in areas such as Warehouse, Logistics, Maintenance, Workshop or Administration.

In addition, the objective is to generate local employment at the location of this new plant, located in Villacé, a small municipality in the province of León. This is an area that is highly affected by the depopulation of the so-called Empty Spain. These jobs represent the equivalent of 70% of its active population.

What would you highlight most about SOLTRA at a professional level?

Its transformative capacity to improve the personal and professional lives of people with disabilities. SOLTRA has been offering opportunities to people with disabilities and promoting their inclusiveness in the workplace

for 23 years. All this experience and commitment have made the organization a benchmark in terms of inclusiveness. At GAM we could not be prouder to have SOLTRA as an ally to improve our practices and integrate people with disabilities in our company.

What are the main objectives and benefits of the circular economy project in the new machinery remanufacturing plant that GAM plans to open in Villacé?

With the Reviver plant, we seek to reduce the environmental impact by reducing the production of new machinery. At the same time, we extend the life cycle of the machines by giving them a second life, either by remanufacturing them or by generating spare parts.

Each year in Spain alone, 4,000 forklifts (which represents a small part of industrial machinery) reach the end of their life cycle. Therefore, our goal is to introduce a circular economy model to put back on the market about 3,000 machines per year, both at national and European level, which will save 9,000 tons of CO2, equivalent to the production of 7,500 cars.

Likewise, this project has been carried out based on the reuse of materials. In addition, being located in the old facilities of a local ceramics factory that closed years ago, we will recover this site, the natural environment in which it is located and avoid a new construction, thus contributing to the biodiversity of the area. For all these reasons, Reviver will be a before and after for this sector. It is a cross-cutting project that implements best practices in sustainability, circular

economy, employment, inclusiveness and reforestation.

With this plant, we at GAM are doing our bit to achieve a more efficient future, in line with many of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 calendar.

This year you have been recognized as Ovetense of the Year, a very prestigious award. What does this award mean to you?

I am proud to receive this recognition from my city and I do it with great enthusiasm, humility and great satisfaction. Undoubtedly, it has been a strong incentive to continue working day by day, always proud of my land and my roots.

CHATTING AT GAM: “CREATING OPPORTUNITIES TO TO ENHANCE CAPABILITIES”.

In the last installment of Chatting at GAM series, SOLTRA was the protagonist. Our CEO, José Antonio Idoeta, shared with all attendees his vision about the relevance of “Creating Opportunities to Empower Capabilities”, highlighting the importance of including people with disabilities in the workplace. He underlined how diversity and equal opportunities are essential foundations for the growth and success of an organization.

An inspiring message that can be summed up in Albert Espinosa’s quote: “If we believe in our dreams, those dreams will be created.”

SOLTRA PARTICIPATES IN THE CONFERENCE ON WOMEN, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND EMPLOYMENT

A day dedicated to exploring the relationship between women, multiple sclerosis and employment. With the aim of promoting labor inclusion and improving the quality of life of people affected by this disease, the event was attended by leading experts and people directly involved in the subject.

The round table was moderated by Adrián Pérez Aller, a worker at EM León in the department of socio-laboral care. He was joined by Lucía Santos Alonso and Marta Fernández Tejerina, two women with MS who are currently employed and retired respectively. Also participating were Carmen Fernández Llamazares, coordinator of CIAMI, and Sergio López Sanz and Natalia Riaño Ortiz, technicians from the Support Units at SOLTRA.

“AN OCEAN IN ME”: CREATIVITY AND LITERATURE IN MENTAL CREATION

On June 2, the second edition of the open-air reading organized by CreACCIÓN Mental was held with great success. Under the suggestive title “An ocean in me”, the event brought together prominent local writers and writers, as well as a dozen people belonging to the mental health network who have actively participated in the literary writing workshop that the platform organizes annually. The workshop was given by the renowned writer Nuria Viuda, whose vast experience in the literary field and commitment to social inclusion have been fundamental to the success of this initiative. The stories, poems and reflections revealed the most intimate experiences and thoughts of each author, showing the deep connection between writing and mental health.

SOLTRA PRESENTS LA8TV SPORTS INCLUSION AWARD TO PABLO RODRÍGUEZ

In the VIII edition of the Sports Gala organized by LA8 León, the award for inclusion was given to swimmer Pablo Rodríguez Pardo. On stage, SOLTRA’s General Manager, José Antonio Idoeta, and former referee Rafa Guerrero had the honor of presenting this recognition. From an early age, Pablo has been involved in the sports world, beginning his career at the La Venatoria Swimming School.

Among his most recent achievements, his title as Absolute Adapted Swimming Champion in the Villa de Gijón Trophy stands out, as well as his bronze medal obtained in the International Adapted Swimming Open held in Valladolid.