Age Concern Menorca: Here For You

Don’t be confused by our name. We know that the word ‘AGE’ would seem to imply that we are a charity only for older people. This is simply not true. We, as Age Concern Menorca, are here to help and assist people of all ages and nationalities, and not just UK citizens (where we can, as sometimes we cannot).

I have been president for just over one year and I have been amazed when talking to various people and authorities by just how many do not know who we are and what we can do (even a large supermarket in Cala’n Porter didn’t know us…!) So, let me briefly explain a little about Age Concern Menorca and the facilities we provide.

Who we are

Age Concern Menorca is a registered charity in Spain (charity number 3357) and we have to have a CIF number to comply with Spanish law. We have an office in Sant Climent, where you can pop in for information, advice, drop off small items for our shop and collect the newsletter we produce.  You can also, for a small donation, get books and DVD’s. Also housed in the office is the Medical Equipment Loan store, where we are able to supply, for a refundable deposit and a donation on return, wheelchairs, walking frames, crutches, bathing aids, ramps and many smaller items for easier living contact. To arrange appointments, delivery and collection, contact: 971 377 063.

The shop is in Es Castell where we sell clothes, books, DVD’s, furniture and bric-a-brac. What a great number of people do not know is that we have to, by law, employ a shop manager and we have to pay IVA of 18% on all items sold (4% on books).  So you can see that although it may appear that we are selling lots of goods and making lots of money, we are also paying a vast amount in taxes (but this is the law in Spain). In addition to this, we rent the shop and so with rent, rates and services we are unable to make the profit we would like, which is why we are always looking for more items to sell. Unlike charities in the UK we do not get concessions with the rent and rates.

What we do

The most important part of Age Concern Menorca is a service known as Lifeline Through this we can arrange for translators to accompany people to the hospital, doctors (and even the dentist), appointments with their local Town Hall and translations of written documents. Lifeline works closely with social services offices and can help with matters regarding social services. We may also be able to help UK citizens with repatriation to the UK and in some cases can possibly help financially through the ACASA side of Age Concern which has contacts with over 250 UK based charities and also the armed forces charities. Lifeline and ACASA can be contacted on 676 90 44 87.

Furthermore, with the help of our Information Officer and in conjunction with the British Consul, we can advise on many of the Spanish laws and directives (and if we don’t know, we will find out).

We also work with the Red Cross, AECC (Cancer Association), R&R Menorca and the hospital in Palma where our colleagues in Mallorca will assist.  Other than our shop manageress, all of our people are volunteers and get no payment for what they do, only the thanks from the people whom they help. If you would like to help us, please contact the office, shop or any committee member. We always need volunteers.

To conclude, we as a charity keep going financially through sponsorship, donations and friends’ (as our members are called) annual donations. We receive no financial help from either the Spanish or British governments or from AGE UK who despite being our parent company, so to speak, actually give us nothing.

Therefore the only way we can keep going is to ask people for donations. Please help us to help you.

Roger Goddard, President, Age Concern Menorca

Contact Age Concern Menorca

To contact any of the Age Concern Menorca Team Members, simply click here for the list complete with their individual contact details.

Age Concern Menorca: Apartado 90, Es Castell, 07720 (Post only)

Age Concern Shop: Calle Cala Padera 39, Es Castell, 07720. Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings, from 09.30 to 13.00 hours.

Age Concern Office: Calle San Jaime 15, San Clemente, 07712. Open Monday to Saturday mornings, from 10.00 to 12.30 hours.

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Website: www.acespana.org