These services launched on 3 August, marking the culmination of a long journey: “Cerzir Afetos – Boidobra Social Solidarity Association is eight years old. Ten years ago, the parish lost its day centre and home support services, prompting a collective effort to restore these essential local social services for the senior population,” Paulo Jerónimo explained.

The initial plan involved using the Boidobra Parish Centre facilities where these services had previously operated, but the bureaucratic hurdles they faced led them to pursue a purpose-built solution instead.

“Over these eight years, we secured land and some funding (given the high investment cost), developed the project, which we submitted to the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), completed construction, and are now beginning operations.”

Realising this project represents a total investment of €1.3 million; Cerzir Afetos received €488,000 in support from the PRR, €320,000 from the Covilhã City Council, and €20,000 from the Boidobra Parish Council.

“Now the goal is to consolidate these services and repay the bank loans we had to take out,” stated Paulo Jerónimo.

This new facility is recognised as “vital for the parish and the municipality of Covilhã, strengthening the support network for the elderly and their families.”

At full capacity, the institution offers 30 places for the day centre and 30 places for the home support service. Operations began with six staff members, but the aim is to reach a total of 15.

“We started with 10 clients in the Day Centre and three receiving home care, and we continue to be contacted by people seeking these types of services, even though we recognise that August, being a vacation month for many, is not the easiest time, and demand is expected to rise after this period.”

For Cerzir Afetos, this “marks a significant institutional and social milestone, reflecting the association’s commitment to community development and to improving the quality of life for the elderly population.”

To this end, the building is equipped with facilities designed to promote the clients’ well-being and quality of life, such as a gym, a Snoezelen room for seniors (a multisensory space), and an outdoor area that those with greater mobility and independence can also enjoy.