Age Concern Acción Social Asistencia (ACASA) has developed from the British Consulate/Age Concern Partnership Project (BC/ACPP) with its core members of the FCO, Age UK and Age Concern España. At the end of 2010, the BC/ACPP was receiving 4 new cases per week and had distributed over €130,000to beneficiaries throughout Spain with over 70 dedicated, trained volunteers. With the instability of the economy, the rising cost of living and the decreasing value of pensions, the plight of pensioners is more real than ever. This is why the development of the project into an independent umbrella charity organisationcalled ACASAunderpins the continuing importance of the work that the charity is doing in Spain. ACASA will continue to help thousands of older British nationals to overcome poverty, combat isolation and assist with integration into Spanish life.

The most recent development is that the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help has joined ACASA in Partnership. Age Concern España has always had a close relationship with SSAFA Forces Help. Now, ACASAcan help more people to access the financial and practical assistance that they need here in Spain. In 2010, SSAFA Forces Help celebrated their 125th anniversary and with recent overseas conflicts from the Gulf to Afghanistan their services are needed as much now as at any time in its history. By working together we will ensure that the information and advice that we provide our beneficiaries is relevant to life in Spain and that we can help those who return to the UK by linking them to their local UK SSAFA branch.

The launch of ACASA took place on March 30^th 2011 at the British Ambassador’s Residence in Madrid.  Eileen Dry President of Age Concern España and Estepona y Manilva attended the launch along with Presidents’ from all the Age Concern Organisations in Spain.  They were also two representatives from Age UK.

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwell took time out from their visit to Spain to meet the volunteers representing the various charities from all over Spain.

The attached photograph, with permission from ukinspain.fco.gov.uk, shows Eileen Dry with other Age Concern Presidents.

Age Concern, Estepona and Manilva, Foreign Residents Day

Age Concern ran a very successful stand on the second day (10^th April) of the Foreign Residents Weekend held in the Palacio de Congresos, Estepona. Organised by Richard and Julie Woods a team of volunteers worked throughout the day to raise over 300Euros for the charity to support the volunteers who work in the community with older people in the area. Cakes and quiches were on sale as well as clothes and bric-a-brac. A tombola was run with countless prizes on offer. Thanks go to the people who baked such delicious goods for sale, and to the volunteers who helped on the day.