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Welsh and Spanish links – Louise’s First Placement with Alvaro – Local, global connections

Published Wed 25 Apr 2018 - By Louise Richards
Welsh and Spanish links – Louise’s First Placement with Alvaro – Local, global connections

Excitement and exhaustion followed the initial hectic, but exhilarating week to find a Tandem partner from 37 other organisations in stunning Sofia, Bulgaria October 2017. We did it – Literature Wales and Solidarios Para El Desarrollo created a ‘marriage of like-minds and vision’.

Then came the next step – applying to develop a project and success again – A Taste for Life/Gusto por la Vida/ Blas ar fywyd was successful! Bags packed – off we went, this time only 24 of us (12 successful couples) to Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal, February 2018. The Tandem kick-off meeting brought us together for a fabulous week of creative fun, intensive planning and project management guidelines.

April 2018 the true Tandem partnership began when I visited Alvaro.  After a short local flight from Bristol (just over the border from Wales) direct to Madrid terminal one, I was welcomed with a big smile and warm hug – proper Tandem style. Then I was whisked off to Colegio Mayor El Faro accommodation right in the centre of the city to begin my week of adventure, exploration, job-shadowing and fun.

The first day flew by visiting the offices of Solidarios Para El Desarollo for a lovely reunion with Delphine, Alvaro’s colleague and to meet the rest of the fantastic team. Alfonso, CEO shared the history of Solidarios – over 30 years of volunteer management and recruitment, starting with strong university links and expanding to include the general public – projects now concentrate on: older people at risk of isolation, homeless people, prisons and people with mental health and disabilities – all to encourage community cohesion, combating social exclusion through the promotion of active citizenship.

During the six day placement I was able to:

  • visit several of the older people supported by Solidarios – they were so warm and welcoming and Alvaro helped with any words that might have been lost in translation
  • shadow one of the routes taken nightly as part of the project with homeless people – we met 20 people, some alone with only a blanket to cover them, others in small groups supporting each other with makeshift shelters made of sheets and tents – heart-breaking, but also heart-warming in sharing our stories.
  • take part in a reading group in Madrid prison – inspirational!
  • plan our Tandem project – fun, fun, fun
  • Skype with our lovely Tandem mentor – Joao
  • enjoy local Spanish food and wine – so delicious!
  • walk 23,000 steps exploring the beautiful city of Madrid with Alvaro and his brother
  • explore the mountains of San Lorenzo De El Escorial and a delicious home cooked meal hosted by Alfonso
  • enjoy great company – soaking up the culture of an exciting Spanish city including visiting Reina Sofia museum to see Guernica – astounding!
  • Share human connections and stories with people from another country

The beauty of the Tandem Europe project for me is the unique opportunity to link with like-minded creative people from across Europe to make close connections, share life stories and explore the creative potential of individuals – next stop Madrid in June followed by Greece, Alvaro and Alfonso’s visit to Wales, Milan and who knows where else – bring it on!

Literature Wales