Joining the Pensionistas, invaluable for integration

Joining the local pensionistas- its easier than you think, and great fun too....

One thing that most of us find out fairly quickly when moving to a new country is that its not what you know, but who you know that matters.

Joining the local Pensionistas is a great way to meet not only other ex-pats, but also to integrate with the local spanish, and take advantage of all the low cost activities that spanish pensioners enjoy.

In this article, Jon Thompson, who partakes in many of the activities of the Puerto de Mazarron pensionistas, explains how to join the pensionistas and what to expect. 

Article by Jon Thompson

How would you like to learn a new hobby, have an (inexpensive) haircut, use a library and computer room, take exercise, make new friends, learn more about the culture, customs and language of the country you are living in and get a cup of coffee at one of the lowest prices in the area? 

You can by joining the Centro Social de Personas Mayores (Social Centre for Senior Citizens) or the Pensionistas Club of Puerto de Mazarrón, as it is known. 

The building is on Calle Mayor, two storey, glass fronted, not very attractive but bustling with activity.  Ground floor has the restaurant, tables and chairs for card playing and rooms for medical treatment.  There is also a reception area where the willing staff will help you and answer your questions.  The first floor has some administration offices, library, hairdresser, computer room, meeting rooms and display cases.  The second floor is presently being renovated.

Membership is free and (under new rules introduced this month) renewable every five years.  The reason for renewing is to keep track of the total number of members.  Under the present scheme there are 5,300 members on the books but as very few people ever advise when they move to another area or country (or die!) it is likely that actual membership is much lower.  In recent years the number of foreigners has increased with the British being the largest group. 

To qualify as a member, you have to live in Murcia, be over 65 years old or be 60 years old and receive a pension (changed from 60 and 55 years under the new decree).  Your wife/husband or partner can join even if they do not qualify by age but you will need to prove that they are living with you - see below. 

To join is easy.  Make an appointment at reception to meet with Servicios Sociales (Social Worker) Alfonso Cifuentes who has an office on the first floor. The telephone number is 968 154 443, or you can just turn up if your Spanish is a little ropey. Miguel is also very helpful and friendly and he is usually around during the day.

Bring with you two photographs, NIE, passport, and padron , but the padrons need to be verified by the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) if one of you does not qualify by right. 

Alfonso will input your data into his computer and explain the goings on of the Club.  He is taking an English speaking course this month so his English should be superb by June.  The process takes about 40 minutes and you collect your pass from reception the following week.

 The Social Centros come under the Instituto Murciano de Acción Social (IMAS) and you can only join one.  Paradoxically, the Club in Mazarrón Town is not under IMAS but is run by the Ayuntamiento, so in theory, you could be members of both Puerto de Mazarrón and Mazarrón Town. 

The only employees of the Centro are the new Directora Consuelo Hernández Chicano, Alfonso and the three receptionists.  The Centro is mostly run by volunteers of the members under a Council (Committee) chaired by Ana Méndez.

 Maria Angeles Martin arranges excursions and visits on a regular basis to neighbouring places of interest, usually day returns, when the bus cost is subsidised by the Club, or to places further a field which last two or three days.  The longer trips are not subsidised but are extremely good value. 

Recent short trips have been to Cartagena Roman Theatre, the fish research farm in Isla Plana and the mines in Mazarrón.  The longer trips have been to Jerez, Andorra and Yeste.  They are going to Salamanca in June. 

Fortnightly on a Wednesday at 4 pm a group of foreigners meet to "Rompiendo Barrearas" (Break the Barriers).  The group is led by Alfonso and the programme varies, sometimes a member gives a presentation of their country or city, discusses a hobby, or a local place of interest (Mazarrón old town hall) is visited, history of the area or you learn about Spain. 

 The present group of 40 is full and winding down for the summer but in September, it will re-open, again under tighter rules, so that membership can be opened to those who participate.  Put your name down now and there will possibly be space for the next years session starting in September. 

You may never fully fit into Spanish society but to quote Giles Tremlett from his book "Ghosts of Spain" you can be "an integrated outsider".  One way to achieve that aim is to join a Centro Social, and get involved with the locals, even if its just calling in for a cup of coffee from time to time. 

The Centre is open from 9am - 8pm, Monday to Friday, and from 10am- 8.30pm, Saturday and Sunday. 

Many thanks to Jon Thompson for the time and effort put into researching and writing this article.