Founded to address a gap in local social support services, Help at Home has grown from a small volunteer-led initiative into an established community charity providing practical assistance, equipment hire and social support across the Orihuela Costa.
The charity was officially founded in May 2011, although the groundwork for the organisation began a year earlier, in 2010. On Thursday, Help at Home marked its 15th anniversary with a reception at its Community Hub in Playa Flamenca, attended by dignitaries and guests including the British Consul, representatives of Cruz Roja, Orihuela Council and the Cámara de Comercio, the Orihuela Chamber of Commerce.
The charity was created in response to a clear local need. Many residents, particularly expatriates living without close family nearby, were struggling after being discharged from hospital following operations, injuries or periods of ill health.
At the time, there was growing concern that people returning home after hospital treatment did not always have sufficient practical support in place. Help at Home was formed by a group of expatriate and Spanish volunteers to help bridge that gap.
In its early days, the charity focused on practical home-based assistance, including shopping, light cleaning and general support for people recovering at home. Volunteers stepped in where family members might otherwise have provided help.
A long-serving volunteer and former president of the charity said the organisation had been created because many people “did not have family here” and were in need of assistance after leaving hospital.
She added: “Even after 15 years, I still believe in the charity. I think the charity is still very much needed.”
From small beginnings to wider community support
Help at Home has changed significantly since its early years. Initially, it operated from a modest base at the Emerald Isle, while volunteers carried out a range of hands-on tasks for people in need.
Over time, however, the organisation has evolved to reflect changing needs, available resources and regulatory requirements. Today, the charity no longer provides direct cleaning services. Instead, it acts as an information and referral point, giving residents contact details for external care and cleaning agencies where appropriate.
Its role is now broader and more structured, combining practical support with community outreach, social activities and affordable equipment hire.
Mobility and care equipment at low cost
One of Help at Home’s most important current services is the hire of mobility and recovery equipment.
The charity provides items including wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, toilet raisers and other aids for people recovering from illness, injury or surgery, as well as those with reduced mobility.
Equipment is made available at very reasonable rates, usually through a small donation of around €10 to €20, together with a refundable deposit of between €30 and €50, depending on the item.
If the equipment is returned within six months, the deposit is refunded. If the user needs the item for longer, the hire can be renewed with a further deposit. The original deposit then becomes a donation to the charity, helping to fund the purchase and maintenance of new equipment.
A growing hub for local residents
Help at Home now operates two charity shops at the front of CC Playa Flamenca, as well as an upper-floor Community Hub used for social events and a recently acquired ground-floor office almost directly beneath it.
The shops help raise funds for the charity’s work, while the hub provides a base for information, support and community activities. The new office, although still being decorated, will be used for administration and as the charity’s equipment store.
Despite its continued expansion, the organisation says its current premises remain too small for the range of social and welfare activities it hopes to develop. These include keep-fit sessions, chair exercises, Spanish language groups and support groups for residents who may be isolated or in need of additional community contact.
The charity is therefore continuing to look for opportunities to expand its facilities, allowing it to provide more space for these activities and to adapt to the growing needs of the local population.
Supporting people when they need it most
Although Help at Home began as a service for people recovering after hospital treatment, its wider purpose remains rooted in the same principle: local people helping others at vulnerable moments in their lives.
For many residents on the Orihuela Costa, particularly those living far from family support networks, the charity offers reassurance, guidance and practical help.
Fifteen years after its official launch, Help at Home continues to play an important role in the community, supporting residents through recovery, mobility challenges, loneliness and the everyday difficulties that can arise when people do not have family close by.
If you feel as though you could benefit from their services all the information you need can be found online at: https://www.helpathomecb.com/ or on Facebook at: helpathomeplayaflamenca
