Building a community with El Ático

El Ático in Playa Blanca is one of the most inspiring stories on Lanzarote, now in its second full year of assisting needy and desperate people all over the island.

The roots of El Ático go back to the devastating lockdown of 2020, when hundreds of islanders suddenly found themselves without work and support. The Playa Blanca Food Bank soon became one of the most impressive initiatives on the island, helping over 120 families.

Now, four years later, El Ático currently runs two charity shops on Calle Francia on the Virginia Oasis complex, one selling clothing and the other selling furniture and household appliances. Another shop will hopefully open in Puerto del Carmen in the near future.

The shops are staffed by volunteers and have also become important social centres in their own right. In fact, apart from a salaried manager, a requirement for NGO status, all the 30-plus people at El Ático are volunteers. The non-profit association has a main committee, as well as sub-committees for volunteers, events and families in need.

The aim, according to committee member Dave Poxon, is helping people. “We’re not an animal charity, although we’ve helped a few” he says. Instead, the charity steps in to assist people of all ages and all nationalities anywhere on Lanzarote who need help urgently. “There is a system here, but it can be slow, which is no good if you’re desperate” says Dave.

Among the examples of assistance is the case of an elderly British man with dementia who was discovered wandering the streets, unwashed and confused. El Ático provided nursing care, arranged a cleaning squad to sort out his home and provided him with new clothes and furniture. The man is currently in the Hospital Insular waiting to be reunited with his family

Another woman was desperate because her 6-year-old child had a rare autistic condition that turned his mouth acidic and rotted his teeth. She had no money, so El Ático immediately stepped in to fund the necessary dental work for the poor kid.

The charity also helps young single mothers, MS sufferers and other people who suddenly find themselves in desperate situations. The nature of the cases means that El Ático is forging links with other charities on the island, and with social workers.

To ensure that those who are helped are genuinely needy, new cases are usually recommended by social workers.

So how can you help El Ático? Dave tells us that volunteers are always needed. “It doesn’t matter how many hours, because it’s important that volunteering must work for you,” he says. “Everyone, including the volunteers needs to be valued, that’s how you build a community.”

Donations, of course, are also welcome, as are fund-raising events such as last month’s Gala Night at the Oasis Club and Grill.

To volunteer, contact Marian on 646 475 546, and for donations call Mark on 711 004 084.