Support for Vulnerable Groups in Lanzarote
Francisco Candil, Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, and local councillor Marci Acuña visited the Fundación Flora Acoge in Lanzarote to learn about its five support programmes. These initiatives aid 478 individuals, including elderly people without family support, single-parent families, and the homeless, all facing social exclusion.
The Canary Islands’ government contributes nearly €562,000 towards these projects, complemented by over €316,000 from the Cabildo de Lanzarote and La Graciosa. Candil and Acuña toured the facilities to review the programmes’ impact.
One notable initiative, the “Acompañamiento a Mayores en Soledad,” assists 52 elderly individuals—36 of whom are women—who lack social support. The programme provides help with medical appointments and daily tasks like shopping and banking.
Flora Acoge also operates a shelter for the homeless which addresses basic needs such as accommodation, food, and hygiene. This year, it has supported 60 individuals, with 17 beds occupied and five more on a waiting list. Candil emphasized the shelter’s critical role for those unable to secure housing.
In addition, the “Proyecto Promoción Social” has served 147 people without income, providing meals and personal hygiene services. Meanwhile, “Proyecto La Sereta” has helped 188 individuals, primarily from single-parent families facing high unemployment rates.
Since April, another initiative has supported 31 elderly people at risk of social exclusion.
This year, the Canary Islands government has allocated €561,819.61 for these programmes, including funding for a nine-seater vehicle. This funding comes from social inclusion initiatives and the 0.7% allocation from the Personal Income Tax.
Councillor Acuña highlighted Flora Acoge as vital to social inclusion in Lanzarote, stating, “They provide essential services for the most vulnerable, with resources like the shelter and community dining.” He noted that the Cabildo contributes over €316,000 annually to support these efforts, with over €250,000 directed specifically to the shelter, which operates 24/7.
Flora Acoge employs 29 staff across various professional areas, including social work and psychology, and seeks donations of food, clothing, hygiene products, and financial support. Psychologist Isabel Sosa Corujo mentioned that all collected items go directly to helping those in need.
Volunteers are also welcome to assist with various tasks. For more information, individuals can visit the Fundación Flora Acoge’s website or contact them directly.
