The Region of Murcia has presented the first Regional Strategy to combat loneliness in its older residents, with the implementation of a 24-hour help line that provides support and intervention. The help line, 065, is managed by the Telephone of Hope, a non-profit organisation that has been operating in the region for nearly 50 years.

Emotional support for the Region’s elderly residents

The aim of the help line is to offer listening, emotional support, and accompaniment for older residents of the region. Additionally, the help line has been put into place to detect possible risk situations involving the residents.

The plan detailed in the Regional Strategy includes the creation of local committees in all municipalities of the region, involving social services, health centres, senior centres, and shops and pharmacies, in order to effectively activate alert signals for possible cases of isolation.

The strategy has been outlined following a period of careful and thorough research. Data extracted from the investigation has shown that one in five people over the age of 65 admit to feeling lonely, a situation that can worsen with age, health problems, or the loss of a friend or loved one.

To be developed between 2026 and 2030, this strategy is estimated to benefit more than 50,000 elderly people in the Region of Murcia, and improve the coordination and organisation of existing resources.

What is Telephone of Hope?

Teléfono de la esperanza, or Telephone of Hope, is a non-profit organisation that has been operating in the Region of Murcia for an astounding 47 years. According to the organisation’s official website, the group aims to “provide mental health care to all those who need it or who are experiencing any kind of psychological conflict or problem, through telephone or in-person sessions.” Its facilities offer both individual and group support on a variety of topics and concerns. The organisation also offers various courses, workshops, and support groups led by professionals trained in different specialties, “equipping people with resources they can use in their daily lives.”

Cartagena hosted the 33rd edition of the Regional Youth Football League Cup at various fields in the city, as well as in La Unión and Torre Pacheco. The tournament, which has now been established as one of the most important spring sporting events in the region, has brought together close to 5,000 young and passionate footballers, in both male and female categories.

A successful event, bringing together young athletes in the hub of Cartagena

The event, organised by the Cartagena City Council in collaboration with other institutions and entities, has brought together sports schools, clubs, and families in this exciting, fun, and vibrant sporting event on the Costa Calida. On Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11, dozens of teams competed at the different venues across the area.

In total, the competition featured 13 categories, ranging from beginner levels to Under-14 and Under-16 categories. The tournament also included Under-14 and Under-18 for the girls’ categories, reflecting a growing support for women’s football and a greater interest in female sports participation from the children. 

The matches were held simultaneously on more than a dozen municipal pitches, marking the tournament as a major sporting event in Cartagena. Among some of the values highlighted during the event for the children was teamwork, respect, and camaraderie.

The event also generated a significant social and economic impact on Cartagena; the arrival of players, coaches and their families generated income for sectors including hospitality and commerce, and reinforced Cartagena’s position as a leader in grassroots football.

Sports on the Costa Calida

When it comes to sporting events, the Costa Calida has already showcased the ability to host major tournaments. The Mar Menor, for instance, one of Europe’s most important lagoons, is gearing up for the final and main event of a recent string of international regatta competitions, the ILCA 4 European Championship.

Among other sporting events that have attracted international visitors in the region are a dressage competition, which Murcia has hosted for the first time; beach football, for which Mazarron recently hosted a tournament; and motorcycling, which is increasingly popular in the Region of Murcia.

Emergency services in the Region of Murcia acted quickly and managed to rescue an injured hiker in the Sierra Espuña, a popular mountain range and regional park located in the municipality of Totana. The hiker, a 52-year-old man, had suffered a fall that caused a knee injury.

A 112 call about an injured hiker in a popular Murcia mountain range

The incident occurred at 8:21am on the morning of Saturday, April 11. The Emergency Coordination Centre received a 112 call from the hiker himself, who alerted them about his fall and told them he was no longer able to walk. He alerted Emergency Services to his location, but the area was difficult to access, according to an environmental agent who was deployed to the site.

In order to rescue the hiker, the General Directorate of Citizen Security and Emergencies deployed a helicopter from the Air Rescue Group of the Fire and Rescue Consortium.

The hiker was successfully evacuated by air and immediately taken to the Virgen de la Arrixaca University Clinical Hospital, where he was attended to and given treatment. The quick rescue and treatment of the injured man is yet another example of Murcia’s emergency responders giving their all to ensure residents’ safety above all else.

The Sierra Espuña: A hidden gem, more popular by the day

The Sierra Espuña Regional Park is a popular location for hiking, day trips, picnics, and educational workshops. The park, considered one of Spain’s hidden gems, has recently seen a surge in visitor numbers, as reported through the Visitor Information and Assistance Services in Murcia.

The Tour of the Region of Murcia, one of the region’s most anticipated sporting events, also saw cyclists pass through the Sierra Espuña in mid-February of this year. It is a popular area not only because of its viability as a hiking and cycling hotspot, but for its acclaimed natural beauty.

How to prevent and respond to accidents while hiking in Murcia’s mountains

However, hikers, cyclists and other visitors to the park should be aware of what to do in the case of accidents. When going out for a hike in the Sierra Espuña or another beautiful area of Spain, it is advised to follow these rules:

• Always let a friend, family member, or neighbour know your whereabouts before setting out.
• Try to limit sports activities to the daytime, when emergency services would be able to spot you easily if you were lost or injured.
• Always carry a charged phone or a portable charger with you. Preferably, have GPS location available on your phone.
• When hiking, remember to stay hydrated and keep snacks on hand.
• If lost or injured, call 112 Emergency Services and give them your information to the best of your ability.