About us
Sadly, we're all familiar with the stories and newspaper articles about people lying sick, injured, or even dead in their homes for days.
We pause (but not too long) to consider that this could happen to us.
With an initiative like the Telephone Circle, these terrible situations can be prevented and help can be called in a timely manner.
Our team
Maria van Os - Founder and general coordinator
Before coming to Spain, I lived in the Caribbean for seven years, where I started a foundation, volunteering about 70 hours a week.
As a pensioner living alone, I naturally sometimes thought about something happening to me at home and being unable to call for help. But you immediately think, 'that won't happen to me', even though I've experienced it very closely.
In the Netherlands, there are (subsidized) telephone circles, but not in Spain. Because so many seniors live here, I started this initiative.
I speak Dutch and English, and study Spanish every day.
In addition to the Dutch Phone Circle, an English-language Phone Circle is also established, and perhaps in the future there will also be a Spanish one.
Teuni van Genderen - Coordinator
In my daily life, I import wines and we grow olives for our own organic olive oil. I'm also involved in a wonderful project focused on cell health, with the goal of aging naturally and healthily.
I find the phone circle very valuable. In my own community, I've seen firsthand how important it is to be able to call someone when something's going on. A phone call can really make a difference at such a time.
That's why I wholeheartedly support this initiative and am happy to volunteer as a coordinator. I speak Dutch and English, and my Spanish is improving every day.
It gives me satisfaction to be able to make a difference for others in this way. A listening ear and a kind word can sometimes be just what someone needs.