The Department of Social Welfare of the Arrecife City Council, led by Maite Corujo, takes stock of the work carried out in 2024 through its annual report, which includes a significant increase in both services and services provided to citizens. The data show the continued effort to serve an increasingly diverse population with greater needs.
This is reflected, for example, in the Community Social Services. Throughout the year, an average of 910 services per worker were managed (4,550 in total), showing a constant growth in assistance pressure and response capacity.
One of the indicators that demonstrates the agility of the system is the number of urgent services without prior appointment: 520 people went to the municipal services in search of immediate help, receiving an adapted and efficient response. “Our model is focused on people. We don't just process, we accompany. We don't just listen, we act,” says Councilor Maite Corujo.
On the other hand, during 2024, 260 people received the home help service in Arrecife, with a progressive increase in users compared to the previous year. The Altavista neighborhood stood out as the one with the highest demand and the most requested service continues to be hygiene and personal grooming; a fact that highlights the need for basic support, especially among the elderly and dependent people.
As a notable novelty, the family respite hours service was launched, a highly valued measure that allows relieving the burden of non-professional caregivers, offering them time to rest or attend to other responsibilities without neglecting the dependent family member.
Likewise, the Childhood and Family area has experienced notable growth: 605 families and a total of 867 minors were attended. Apart from direct care, prevention and support spaces such as the municipal conciliatory camps were consolidated, which were launched for the first time and were very well received. “These spaces allowed mothers and fathers to combine their work life with the care of their children during vacation periods, also promoting education in values and coexistence,” the councilor recalled.
Among the outstanding projects is the implementation of the Family Prevention and Intervention Program, the Family Workshop and specific activities for minors at risk.
The Councilorship led by Maite Corujo has taken a firm step in the consolidation of public Equality policies, reinforcing the institutional presence in all local festivals through awareness campaigns and the implementation of violet points.
For the first time, a psychological care service for women victims of gender violence or in a situation of vulnerability was launched, active since June. Between June and December, 47 women were treated, receiving professional and confidential support. In addition, projects such as “Arrecife in Equality”, training days in educational centers and campaigns to raise awareness of rights were promoted.
Regarding the area of Immigration, 652 people were attended in 2024. As a novelty, 60 places were launched for minors in Spanish courses for foreigners, so far aimed only at adults. This expansion promotes the integration of children and adolescents into the educational system, generating inclusive environments from an early age.
During the year, the Council continued its work of managing non-contributory pensions (1,800 compared to 771 in 2023), key to guaranteeing minimum income to people in vulnerable situations and processed 166 parking cards for people with reduced mobility, compared to 5 the previous year, facilitating the accessibility and autonomy of many families. The area has also developed occupational workshops, inclusive leisure activities and active aging programs.
Maite Corujo has emphasized that “these data are not just numbers, they are real stories, people with names and surnames. We have taken a further step in the commitment to be close, to act with empathy and firmness. Arrecife is today a city with a stronger social shield.”
Thus, the councilor has highlighted the need to continue working on improving community services for the municipality of Arrecife, given the increase in both the population and the needs of the residents. “While it is true that we have improved a lot, there is still much to be done and a long way to go to be able to provide a service that is 100% in accordance with the needs.”
