Moventia and TRAM have renewed their support for the project aimed at providing easier access to mobility for the homeless people being helped by Sant Joan de Déu Servicios Sociales – Barcelona. This partnership, which is one of the projects being organised by the two businesses as socially responsible companies, represents a contribution of 60,000 euros per year towards providing easier access to public transport for the people supported by various social service programmes run by the organisation.
The project seeks to offer free access to public transport in the city of Barcelona and surrounding areas for the homeless people being looked after by the various direct support programmes run by Sant Joan de Déu Servicios Sociales – Barcelona so they can attend their training, employment or job search activities, medical appointments, regain their network of social and family relationships, engage in socialisation support activities (including leisure and cultural activities) and any other type of procedure or activity coordinated with the social workers of Sant Joan de Déu to help them take back control of their life.
Mobility is one of the key aspects that are essential in combating social exclusion. The programme launched by Sant Joan de Déu with support from Moventia and TRAM helps to reduce this inequality – a problem encountered by many people – by facilitating travel on public transport. Moventia has adopted a clear commitment to people in this regard and beyond its employees, users and customers. In line with UN SDG 17 ‘Partnerships for the Goals’, Moventia and TRAM develop in-house programmes and, as is the case on this occasion, partner with non-profit entities and foundations to promote a better society and contribute towards improving quality of life for the most vulnerable.
The funding received has already impacted the lives of more than 2,200 people over the five years of this partnership, all of them men and women aged between 18 and 65 supported by Sant Joan de Déu Servicios Sociales – Barcelona on the programmes it runs in the city. In addition, and in response to the COVID-19 situation, part of the contribution in 2021 was used on a line of financial aid to make rent payments on behalf of vulnerable households in order to prevent them from potentially losing their homes.
Public transport, a tool for inclusion
The partnership renewal event was attended by the Corporate Deputy Chairwoman for Internal and Institutional Communication of Moventia, Sílvia Martí; the General Manager of TRAM, Humberto López Vilalta; the Director of Sant Joan de Déu Servicios Sociales – Barcelona, Salvador Maneu; and the Director of Obra Social Sant Joan de Déu, Oriol Bota.
During the conversation, public transport was highlighted as an essential tool that enables people to engage in daily life, such as studying, working or maintaining a social network, and is especially important for those homeless people needing to access various public resources throughout the city of Barcelona and its metropolitan area. Furthermore, access to transportation allows them to enjoy additional activities that directly impact their recovery because they strengthen social and community ties.
The meeting was also an opportunity for these representatives from the two companies to visit the new dentistry clinic for people with no financial resources that is jointly managed by SJD Servicios Sociales Barcelona and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, and funded by Barcelona City Council and internal funding from Sant Joan de Déu.