The councilor highlighted the importance of adapting Community Social Services to new realities and population needs, as well as reinforcing the capacity to respond to situations of vulnerability. "There are personal and family crises, needs for support in coexistence or related to housing, and we need strong and reinforced public services to meet these demands," she stated.
Funes emphasized the work of the Municipal Patronage for Social Affairs, which assisted 44,827 people in 2025, a 7% increase from the previous year. She stressed the importance of maintaining public services prepared to meet citizens' needs, which go beyond situations of extreme vulnerability. The 2025 report indicates the Patronage had 160 professionals and a municipal contribution of 7,442,427 euros, along with 10,216,113 euros in external funding.
The Home Help Service was highlighted, increasing its users from around 1,300 in January 2025 to 2,177 in August 2026, a 67.5% rise. This service allows elderly and dependent individuals to remain in their homes with necessary support. Community social service centers assisted 25,783 people last year, and programs like ERACIS+ received 2.65 million euros in funding, with 436 direct participants and 148 job placements.
For her part, the fourth vice-president and deputy for Equality, Social Policies, and Youth, Francisca Medina, underscored the significance of the meeting, focusing on how to apply a person-centered intervention model in community social services, sharing experiences and best practices.
Medina highlighted the work of community social services professionals in the province, calling them "the entry point to our social protection and social welfare system" and "the first place a person turns to when going through a difficult situation." She asserted that their work is "essential, because social services guarantee equal opportunities and social cohesion."
The territorial delegate for Social Services, Families, and Equality, Ángela Hidalgo, advocated for the need to move towards community social services that are closer, more flexible, and better adapted to the real needs of people and the most vulnerable groups. She acknowledged that these professionals are "the first face seen by a citizen needing support and help," and therefore the meeting aims to exchange experiences and draw conclusions for daily work.
