Equality launches a support plan for family reconciliation in Benidorm with a free leisure program aimed at children from 3 to 12 years old

The Department of Equality of Benidorm City Council has launched a pioneering project aimed at facilitating family reconciliation, called 'Espai Educa', consisting of a free leisure program aimed at children from 3 to 12 years old, which will take place every day, from Monday to Friday, in two social centers in the city. The Councilor for Equality, Ángela Zaragozí, explained that this project is part of the Co-Responsible Plan 2023, promoted by the Generalitat Valenciana of which Benidorm City Council is a part, and that it is aimed at promoting from public administrations “measures to promote the reconciliation of personal, family and work life from a focus on equality between men and women”, as highlighted by the councillor.

In this sense, Zaragozí stated that this project “demonstrates, once again, the commitment of this government team to the families of our town, especially with homes that have fewer social networks to help them care for their children when the Mothers or fathers' workday is extended beyond school hours," offering them "a safe space to leave their children, where they know that they will be well cared for and completely free of charge."

The 'Espai Educa' has been taking place since this week at José Llorca Llinares Social Center, located in Foietes-Colonia Madrid neighborhood, and at La Torreta Social Center, in Rincón de Loix, from Monday to Friday between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. A total of 60 places are offered, 30 per social center, which in turn are divided into two different groups with 15 places each: one for children from 3 to 6 years old and another aimed at schoolchildren from 7 to 12.

Among the activities planned to be developed within this program are crafts, games, storytelling, film and theater workshops, as well as school reinforcement or homework for children who need it, all planned according to the age of each group.

Ángela Zaragozí reported that families who want to use this service must go to the two spaces where this 'Espai Educa' will take place and formalize their registration.

Apart from this 'Espai Educa' initiative, Benidorm City Council also offers other options to collaborate with families in reconciling work and family or offer free leisure alternatives for children and young people.

Among them, is “Espai Jove', which takes place at the Youth Information Center, located at Plaza de SS MM los Reyes de España where healthy leisure activities are carried out and young people can meet and share experiences, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday, as well as on Saturday mornings, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Likewise, in the coming weeks 'Espai Obert' project will also be reactivated, which consists of opening the playgrounds of several schools in the evening so that schoolchildren can practice sports activities with the supervision of municipal monitors.