This volunteer activity of the FPSC is done in the framework of the cooperation agreement signed with the CAM, with the help of the Madrid Social Services Agency (AMAS).
One of the requests by the AMAS was to give priority to the start of voluntary activity in this centre because it is in a difficult communication location in Barajas and there is a greater need.
The volunteer group of the FPSC (#voluntariosBarajas) is formed by young professionals from Madrid, who after prior training, on October 10, started this accompaniment and leisure project with great enthusiasm, which is a mediation space with residents at the centre.
The event, scheduled as the first of the course, had the difficulty to serve to “break the ice” but it was a success and both volunteers and residents and occupational center professionals were very satisfied and eager to meet again.
Next, we share with you Curro´s testimony, coordinator of this group of volunteers:
“Last Saturday, 10 October we began a volunteering service at the Barajas Occupational Centre for people with intellectual disabilities.
We really wanted to start this volunteering service, because this centre, being close to the airport, had so far no group to approach and accompany the residents.
They were delighted to meet us; they looked very excited and eager to spend time doing something different. As it was the first time we went, we thought it best to start with a set of presentation with which we could get to know each resident. Of the seventeen volunteers who went only a few had experience in dealing with mentally disabled so the game also served us as initial contact.
The game that we chose was “the web” and it was to form a circle and present ourselves while we were throwing a clew from one another. After the round of presentations, the web crumbled and we said something that we liked of the person who had thrown the clew to us. We initially had doubts about how it would turn out the game, we had never done it and we were afraid that they would not like it or would be uncomfortable. Quite the opposite! They all loved it, volunteers, residents and staff of the residence. After making several rounds to meet the forty residents, we made another small game until it was time of the aperitif. Their favorite time!
When we left we were sad to hear how some residents asked us if we would go back the next day… I hope one day we may be so many volunteers that we can go as often.
Even so we were very happy, we all have a story to tell and a resident with whom we had hit it off particularly. We liked it so much we were already thinking about which activities and games make for the next time.
In short, a fantastic experience that I recommend to everyone.”