Residents in Pilar de la Horadada will benefit from a new community wellbeing initiative, aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles (both physical and emotional) and social connection among the neighbours. The “Pilar Takes Care” programme (“El Pilar se cuida”) has been launched by the Pilar de la Horadada Town Hall’s Department of Health, and is part of a wider plan to improve health and wellbeing in the Community of Valencia.

Combining physical and emotional wellbeing in Pilar de la Horadada

The programme involves emotional wellbeing workshops in combination with guided walking routes, which will encourage residents to stay active, stay in touch with their mental health, and find a balance for their overall wellbeing. 

The workshops will aim to educate different population groups about managing emotions, self-care, how to reduce stress, how to improve social relationships, and how to foster coexistence in the community. The walks, on the other hand, will offer a fun challenge that people of all fitness levels will be able to take part in. The workshops will reinforce the idea that physical and mental health are often inseparable, and encourage the community to stay active.

A free programme to respond to a need for balance in the community

The programme was developed in response to last year’s health diagnosis findings in the municipality, which showed that emotional wellbeing was a growing priority for the citizens of Pilar de la Horadada and in the whole of Valencia. 

The activities in the programme will be free of charge and open to the public, and specific details about where and when the individual workshops will take place will be announced through the official communication channels of the Pilar de la Horadada Town Hall in the coming weeks.

The Pilar de la Horadada Town Council hopes that the initiative will inspire residents to take care of both their minds and bodies in a holistic approach to health, and that the residents will be provided with all the tools they need to manage their stress, find a balance in their lives, and stay active in their communities and neighbourhoods.

The Chief Commissioner of the Local Police of Alicante, José María Conesa, has announced his departure due to his upcoming retirement after serving for 17 years as the head of the municipal body. The announcement was made during a ceremony held on Local Police Day, which was Friday, May 8, as Alicante celebrated an incredible 179 years of the local police service.

Deep gratitude and pride in having served the people of Alicante for nearly two decades

Chief Conesa, during the ceremony, expressed deep “gratitude” and “pride” in having been able to serve Alicante, and described it as “the greatest honour” of his professional career. Mayor of Alicante, Luis Barcala, praised Conesa’s service, citing remarkable commitment and loyalty to Alicante and to the safety of the public.

“José María Conesa has had a very long career serving the Local Police and the city of Alicante. Seventeen years directing and leading the force. I had the opportunity to share half of his term with him. I have never known another Local Police Chief,” said Mayor Barcala.

The mayor also praised the work of the officers. “Today, the Alicante Local Police enjoy a prestige it did not have a few decades ago, thanks to its professionalism and dedication to service.”

Chief Conesa ‘leaving with pride in this profession’

During his speech, Chief Conesa said, “[T]his moment has a very special meaning as this is the last year of my tenure before my retirement.” 

“Looking back, one realises that half a lifetime has been spent in the force, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve the community.” He emphasised that he is leaving “with pride in this profession, for having shared this journey, and for having had the privilege of serving Alicante.”

In total, 73 officers were recognised during the ceremony for their work, as well as 11 individuals for their collaboration with the local police force. Medals were awarded to 21 police officers who have exceeded two decades of service, and diplomas were given to 9 retired officers.

The ceremony was attended by Alicante municipal officials, military authorities, and friends and loved ones of those honoured. In addition, the ceremony included a performance of the Local Police anthem by the Alicante Municipal Symphonic Band.

More than 70,000 interventions in the past year: Prioritising the safety of the citizens of Alicante

During the ceremony, the impressive number of interventions by the Alicante Local Police was revealed. In the past year, the safety officials and first responders handled more than 75,000 calls, resulting in more than 72,000 interventions. Additionally, the Local Police collaborated 620 times with the Spanish National Police and provided support to 512 victims of gender-based violence.

The Spanish Association Against Cancer carried out a major initiative in the streets of the Alicante province at the beginning of May, with its Collection Day campaign. The event involved the entire community of Alicante and beyond in the fight against cancer, and was carried out under the slogan “When you stop, we move against cancer.”

Collection tables in the community: Alicante gets active against cancer

The initiative, which took place on Thursday, May 7, and involved more than 63 tables distributed throughout the Alicante province, as well as the collaboration of some 260 volunteers. At the tables, Alicante residents and visitors were able to make donations through physical collection boxes or through their mobile devices. 

According to the association, passersby simply stopping at a donation box or a collection table is a small gesture that could result in a huge impact for cancer research and families affected by it. These funds not only help to fund groundbreaking research projects and improve care for patients, but they also generate hope.

Funds will go towards care, research, and hope for a world without the fear of cancer

The funds donated during the Collection Day campaign will be put towards continuing to make progress into cancer research, providing comprehensive care for those affected by cancer and their loved ones, and aiming for a 70 per cent cancer survival rate by the year 2030. The donations also help to keep care available for free, which the association offers to those affected by cancer.

The Spanish Association Against Cancer’s presence in Alicante

In Alicante, the Spanish Association Against Cancer is present in 26 locations across the province. In the whole of Spain, the association has 52 provincial headquarters with a presence in more than 2,000 individual locations, more than 35,000 volunteers, and has a team of more than 1,261 professionals.

The association has emphasised the need for greater public participation in the fight against cancer, especially with regards to prevention, support, and research. Cancer remains one of the main socio-health issues on a global scale, with an estimated 1 of 2 men and 1 of 3 women being affected by it throughout their lives, either personally or through loved ones.

Currently, the Spanish Association Against Cancer is developing 6 research projects in the province and has allocated more than €900,000 in 2025 to the effort.