Summer 2023
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Is there anything lovelier than seeing a child laugh? It’s so natural, sincere, contagious. That’s what we want to achieve: more smiling and happy children. How? By working with social actions related to childhood.
We are focusing on three specific groups:
The objective of this session was to help staff at the hotel to understand at first hand through the participants:
Once we understand the reality, our fears disappear, we have a different perspective, and we are able to understand what is happening to these children, to recognise their emotions, and to prevent behavioural problems.
Thanks to the Raíles Foundation for helping to spearhead this change of perspective in Palladium Hotel Group partners.
An eagerly awaited dream come true for 12 children and teenagers (aged between 3 and 18) with disabilities or learning difficulties from the Raíles
School for Special Education and Early Years Care Centres to enjoy a few days of fun.
This also provided support for their families in achieving a work-life balance during a few days’ holiday from school.
Volunteers from BLESS Hotel Madrid helped out with the organisation of a large number of themed workshops and the odd excursion. They helped the children to make a volcano with lava, to swim in the swimming pool, and to relax in the shade of the trees in the El Retiro park.
The last day concluded with a water party, where children and volunteers alike had fun and cooled down, and hoped to get together again soon.
“The camp has been amazing. Today I’ve been working with Paula from Human Resources, and she brought us gifts. We are very happy.”
Abel Manzanares
Raíles Foundation Project Manager
“What I liked best were the swimming pool and the El Retiro excursion. The volunteers from the hotel were lovely. I’d like to do it again.”
Lucía Gregoris
Camper
“It was very rewarding to see how they changed in each setting, such as a little boy in a wheelchair who could hardly stand, but in the water was happy, without his chair, and without a brace.”
Gema Sanz
Volunteer
“I worked with the children from the school. I listened to them, took part in fun activities with them, and encouraged them to enjoy themselves and learn together.”
Daniel Yandún
Volunteer
FEEL THE EXCITEMENT AND JOY AT THE END OF THE DAY
Fifty-two youngsters from the Balia Foundation spent a unique day in the Puy du Fou theme park in Toledo, where they went on a journey through 1,500 years of Spanish history accompanied by nine teachers and six volunteers from ONLY YOU Boutique Hotel Madrid.
Firstly, they learnt how Abderramán III (the great Caliph) and Fernán González (the first Count of Castile) were rivals in splendour, with kites, vultures, eagles and falcons flying just centimetres from their heads.
After lunch and sharing anecdotes about their lives, everyone accompanied Columbus and his crew in discovering a new route to the Indies.
In the Toledo open-air theatre, they were impressed at the story of the life of Lope de Vega, who they had studied at school, and then enthralled by the deeds of the Cid, Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar.
Thank you to the young people of the Balia Foundation — for trusting us and welcoming us so readily into your games, competitions, laughter and confidences.
“These are shows that they don’t normally have access too, and that they greatly enjoyed. They learnt something, and they had fun with their friends sharing a day of leisure and culture outside their own city.”
Teachers
Balia Foundation
What we were told by those who took part:
Ana Mir
Volunteer
“I spent every minute I could with the children, getting to know them and having fun with them, to help them to disconnect from their day-to-day lives. Seeing how the children get along together, and how they look after one another, I learnt a great deal about the meaning of friendship.”
Carmen Escamilla
Volunteer
DISCOVER THE POWER OF EDUCATION THROUGH PLAY
Four hospitalised children aged between 5 and 8, and their families went to have fun and to see The Lion King at Only YOU Hotel Atocha.
They had a fantastic afternoon with Tania, Mónica and the three Álvaros, who made them feel extra special. Sitting comfortably in the front row, they laughed, and eagerly followed the adventures of Simba and Nala.
An evening at the cinema with a plentiful supply of popcorn, jelly beans, drinks and face-painting. In addition to a photocall, for which adults and children alike paraded like true professionals, just like the characters in the film.
Many thanks to Juegaterapia, for giving us the opportunity to provide an exciting evening for Elsa, Marina, Lucía and Martina. It was fantastic!
“It was great. The children had a wonderful time. They treated us so well.”
Relatives
Juegaterapia
“They had a super time. He was up till 10.30 p.m. That’s how much he was enjoying himself.”
Relatives
Juegaterapia
“A million thanks for the party! The little ones were over the moon! They’ve told us it was ‘super fantastic‘. They had a terrific evening, and you made them feel special😊.”
María José Jara
Juegaterapia’s Manager of Projects and Events
“To be honest, the place was super cool, and I think the children and their families had a great time. Of course, it was the team who made it a success, and we can’t wait to do it again.”
María Herrero
Manager of Only YOU Hotel Atocha
SHARE UNFORGETTABLE TIMES PLAYING OR COOKING
The objective of the session, delivered by Joaquín C. del Pino and brilliantly coordinated by Laura Álvarez at Hard Rock Hotel Marbella, was to raise staff awareness of how to integrate children with a disability into society.
Examples were shown of activities aimed at both people with a disability and those without.
Thank you, Adimi, for helping us understand that:
Twenty-four children from Adimi with a learning disability and their families, together with 11 volunteers from Hard Rock Hotel Marbella enjoyed the adventures and misfortunes of Buster, Rosita, Ash, Johnny and the other characters from the film “Sing”.
Javier, James, Laura, Cristina, Almudena and their colleagues made sure that all those attending were comfortable, and that they enjoyed a very special afternoon carefully organised just for them. The volunteers for their part were over the moon to see the children having so much fun.
After the film showing, the children enjoyed a delicious tea to the sound of Rock and Roll.
Thank you, Adimi, for showing us that it’s never too late to live our dreams.
“I learnt that there’s always time to work with the community, and especially with sectors that need extra support in their day-to-day lives.”
Javier Ortiz
Volunteer
“What I liked best was the feeling that we were actually helping, and how happy the children seemed.”
Cristina Belmonte
Volunteer
“The children’s innocence is absolutely amazing, and it’s great to see how little they need to have so much fun. I’ll be doing it again for sure!”
James Zambrano
Volunteer
“It meant a lot to me that we brought some joy into the day-to-day lives of children who had never done anything like this.”
Laura Álvarez
Volunteer
“We had a wonderful time, and the children and their attendants were so grateful for our efforts and enthusiasm in preparing the activity.”
Almudena Mosteiro
Hotel Planner, Hard Rock Hotel Marbella
AN AFTERNOON WITH A DIFFERENCE
Forty-eight youngsters (between the ages of 7 and 17), at risk of neglect and social exclusion, from the Fuengirola, San Quintín 1, San Quintín 2, San Jorge, El Palo and Barcenillas homes, spent two incomparable days at Fuerte de Nagüeles.
A huge place in the midst of nature, with facilities designed for all kinds of leisure activities, and with a comprehensive programme including T-shirt printing, circuits among the trees, canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding. A perfect end to the summer.
Four volunteers from Only YOU Hotel Málaga helped to ensure that paintball activities, a picnic and a water balloon fight were a success, and that the children had the time of their lives.
The volunteers’ tasks included:
Thank you to Nuevo Futuro, for giving us the opportunity to work together to give the children such a fun day out.
”The activity exceeded our expectations, and the children had the end of summer activity they dream of.”
Teachers
Nuevo Futuro Málaga
“Thank you for all the hard work and enthusiasm you put into this fantastic initiative for the enjoyment of our youngsters.”
Geles Porcel
Leader from Nuevo Futuro
“Activities such as these help the children to expand their circle of friends and to disconnect for a few days from their routines in the flats where they live with their teachers.”
Natalia Carrillo
Volunteer
“It was lovely to see the children enjoying a change from their routine.”
Angelina Ramos-Santana
Hotel Planner, Only YOU Hotel Málaga
JOIN THIS ADVENTURE IN NATURE
Thirty pupils from the Francisco Esteve Special Education Centre in Paterna had an amazing time on the slides and in the swimming pools at the AQUARAMA water park. The three-and-a-half hours spent there passed by in a flash.
A wonderful opportunity to enjoy an exciting experience with their friends, to meet challenges and to overcome fears in new and “risky” situations. Normally, the participants cannot enjoy these mainstream activities with their families.
Five volunteers from Only YOU Hotel Valencia supported the 31 professional staff from the school to help these kids have a whale of a time and to feel free and independent in swimming pools where they could touch the floor.
Thanks to the Patronato Francisco Esteve for allowing us to make disability visible and to achieve inclusion.
“I had the time of my life. The slides were what I liked best. I’d like to do it again.”
Participant
Patronato Francisco Esteve
“The youngsters had a great time, and really enjoyed themselves. They all looked so happy. They enjoyed every minute on the slides that they could access in the park. This was a great opportunity for them.”
Teachers
Francisco Esteve Center
“What a fantastic experience! We had so much fun. We had a good day, and the children really enjoyed it. They placed each of us with a group of 6 or 7 children and their instructor. We came away wanting more, as the time just flew by.”
Amparo Peñafiel
Hotel Planner Only YOU Hotel Valencia
IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE FUN MAKING A BETTER WORLD
The objective of the session, delivered by Raquel and Gemma at Palladium Hotel Menorca, was for the participants to learn how to better engage with neurodiverse families visiting their hotel.
To achieve this, it was important to:
Neurodiversity is among us. Anyone can experience it at any time in their life, therefore recognising it, accepting it and living with it makes for a better and more open society.
Thank you to the Nemo Foundation for showing us, at Palladium Hotel Menorca, the reality of life for neurodiverse people, and how to integrate them.
Thirty boys and girls from the Nemo Foundation and their families enjoyed a fun day out at the facilities of Palladium Hotel Menorca, thanks to the assistance of 13 volunteers from the hotel who encouraged them and played, danced, and painted with them.
The employees:
Thank you to the Nemo Foundation for giving us the opportunity to enjoy such a rewarding experience.
“Everything was perfect, especially the gentleness and care with which the hotel workers treated the children.”
Raquel Lizana
Nemo Foundation speech therapist
“A wonderful experience, and I learnt how these families strive every minute of their lives to keep their children well and happy. I’ll be doing it again.”
Antonia Justicia
Volunteer
“I didn’t have detailed information about each child, and I didn’t need it because, as the therapists told us, their limitations are more psychological than real.”
Silvia María Fernández
Volunteer
“It’s good, both for the children, because they have fun, and for the families, because they can relax a little and have some time to themselves.”
Esther García
Volunteer
“It feels good to help other people.”
Marta Bazal
Volunteer
“I couldn’t believe how quickly you come to mean something to them, so that they want to tell you something, show you some game or give you a hug.”
Maria Luisa Lizana
Volunteer
“It was really nice playing with them, painting and dancing.”
Desiree Signorelli
Volunteer
“It was indescribable, an unforgettable experience, and one that I’d like to repeat in the future. I learnt that happiness depends on each one of us.”
Zaida Esculta
Volunteer
“I saw the reality of life for the parents and the need to lend them a hand so that they could have a different kind of day and above all, the joy that they showed.”
Julián Sanguino
Volunteer
“I learnt that a little can mean a lot.”
Pedro Andrés Orfila
Volunteer
“It was amazing, the whole team working together happily.”
Laura Portela
Volunteer
“I loved the experience. Also, it’s good that it makes us view the hotel not merely as our place of work, but as something more than that.”
Carmen Lizana
Volunteer
A FANTASTIC FUN DAY WITH CHILDREN WITH FUNCTIONAL DIVERSITY WHO WILL SURPRISE YOU
It’s 10.30 a.m. Twenty adults (fathers, mothers and volunteers from the Ibiza IN and Palladium Hotel Group) and 25 children (some, but not all, with disabilities), met at the port of Sant Antoni to embark on the Terranova, bound for Cala Comte.
During the crossing, they enjoyed undersea views of Ibiza’s beautiful coast, and even went into a genuine pirate cave. In the crystal-clear waters at Comte beach, they chatted, played and laughed, cooled off, searched for jellyfish, swam and enjoyed a splendid breakfast of fresh fruit and cold meats.
Soon it was time to head for Sant Antoni. The return journey seemed shorter than the trip out.
The first time on a boat for for many of the children with disabilities had been a resounding success. All together.
Martina, Abril, Clara, Mario, Luca, Vittorio, Lluc, Marc, Triana, Mireia, Júlia, Marc, Jordi, Sara, Daniel, Edna, Nora, Amelia, Pau, Julia, Enzo, Carla, Sonia, Beltrán and Paula: thank you for showing that inclusion is possible, and for showing an example to everyone.
11.00 a.m.: 16 adults (fathers, mothers and volunteers from Ibiza IN) and 24 children aged between 6 and 14, some with and some without functional diversity, met at the entrance to the Grand Palladium White Island Resort & Spa.
There, Marta Montero, Hotel Planner, was waiting for them, and accompanied them into a lounge where they made colourful pirate hats, with the help of Natalia Alonso, Marta Pla, volunteers from the hotel, and their mums and dads. There was a great deal of laughter as the adults helped the little ones, and the more able helped those who were having a few difficulties.
Afterwards, they enjoyed a fantastic morning of water games in one of the hotel’s enormous swimming pools.
Midday came, and lunchtime! This was not without its difficulties, as some guests had to eat with a patch over one eye, and others with an arm tied up. The objective was to make them aware of the difficulties faced by many people in carrying out many basic activities, such as eating.
After lunch, they enjoyed playing on the slides in the hotel’s children’s play area, followed by a fun treasure hunt, tea with delicious biscuits, and an awards ceremony with prizes for everyone.
Thank you, Ibiza In, for this day of games and laughter with children with and without functional diversity. An example of what society should be like. A lesson in inclusion.
“The children had a whale of a time, both on the boat and in the hotel. They’ll remember this weekend for a very long time. It was all laughter and excitement.”
Susana Ribas
Secretary at Ibiza IN
BE PART OF AN UNFORGETTABLE AND INCLUSIVE DAY
The children from the Betania Foundation had never played paddle tennis, but that didn’t stop 15 of them having the time of their lives the first time they did so, alongside Mario, Eduardo and Denisa, volunteers from Palladium Hotel Palmyra.
The volunteers’ first challenges were to:
Then came the practice session, hitting the ball to the right and backwards, volleying and serving. Those who wanted to could even do this sitting in a sports wheelchair.
Thank you, Alberto and Rubén, for showing us that it is possible to participate in sport from a wheelchair and have fun, apart from the importance of making the effort. Congratulations on your personal achievement!
“The kids had a great time, and really enjoyed themselves. The best things? The teacher, the materials used and the food.”
Clara
Betania Association
“For me, the activity was a chance to learn how people with a disability cope and how, in spite of it, they can show that those with the determination and the will to succeed can do so, even if it’s in a slightly different way.”
Denisa Ilie
Volunteer
“The kids had a great time; they even asked if we could do it again the following day. Lots of them got into the sports wheelchair to have a go.”
Rubén Castilla
Pádel Silla Ruedas Association
“We encourage values such as endeavour, and meeting challenges, and this is an example of overcoming difficulties in life, and emerging stronger. Alberto and Rubén were awesome in that respect.”
Mario Segovia
Volunteer
“It was great fun. I think it’s very motivating for the participants.”
Eduardo Solís
Volunteer
ADAPTED SPORTS AS AN EXAMPLE OF INCLUSION AND INTEGRATION
Twenty-three children aged between 6 and 12, together with 18 carers, laughed and had the time of their lives at Hard Rock Hotel with the antics of two female clowns from the Sonrisa Médica NGO.
Daniel, Mónica, Ángela, Desiree, Micaela, Alejandro, Silvia and Estefanía, all employees at Palladium Hotel Group, were a vital part of the organisation and development of the activity, with the result that both the workshop and the tea that followed (provided by Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel) were a total success.
The involvement and participation of the children were essential for discovering the benefits of laughter for young patients in hospital.
Thank you, Sonrisa Médica, for showing us the fantastic work you do in the hospitals — and for teaching us how to connect with our emotions through humour, and how to learn from them.
“What I liked best were the smiles on the faces of the children.”
Daniel
Volunteer
“It’s good to do activities like this because it gives you a sense of belonging to the organisation, and expresses the values of Palladium Hotel Group.”
Mónica
Volunteer
“What I liked best was seeing the children having fun.”
Ángela
Volunteer
“I find it rewarding to be part of events like this; it brings out the best in me.”
Desiree
Volunteer
“It all went very well. The workshop was very educational. They enjoyed the tea very much, and the children were delighted — and they told us so.”
Silvia Alonso
Hotel Planner, Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel
“At Hard Rock, we have a motto: Love All - Serve All. It was a day when we lived up to our motto, and we will always feel proud of having been part of these activities.”
Alejandro Carrillo
Hotel Planner, Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza
“They had a great time; they laughed and they joined in the activities. They’ve told us that when they arrived home, they told the rest of their families what they’d seen.”
Clowns
Sonrisa Médica
THE MIRACLE OF OUR EMOTIONS
Thirty-two children from APFEM, ADDIF and the Asperger’s Association spent a relaxed day at the seaside, along with 14 carers and 10 volunteers from BLESS Hotel Ibiza and TRS Ibiza Hotel.
They were divided into two groups. One group hoisted the sails of the schooner Saga to sail towards the beach at Talamanca. The other group were already there, doing activation, psychomotor and socialisation exercises, and going out on a boat with a hydromassage platform — along with kayaking and surfing on a giant board.
At midday, the two groups got together to enjoy a snack, and then swapped activities.
The technical team, the carers and the volunteers succeeded in maintaining a perfect balance between the play and the therapeutic aspects, meaning that children who would have found it difficult to go into the sea were able to do so easily.
Thank you to Un Mar de Posibilidades for allowing us to share the happiness and sense of freedom experienced by these children, whose faces wore expressions of pure joy.
“I was thrilled to be able to spend a relaxed day on the beach with these very special children. Seeing them having fun and smiling out in the open air is something money cannot buy.”
Iñigo Preciado
Volunteer
“It’s an exercise in humility and excitement for our day-to-day lives. Every day, we can learn so much from their values.”
Raúl Gutiérrez de la Fuente
Volunteer
“The team of volunteers from the hotel did a brilliant job. The respect and enthusiasm they showed were exceptional. So enjoyable. Congratulations!”
Pedro Cárceles
Manager at Un Mar de Posibilidades
“This has been an exciting and very educational experience. We have been so impressed by the team from BLESS Hotel Ibiza.”
Blanca Méndez
Hotel Planner, BLESS Hotel Ibiza
TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH NATURE AND SPORT
Nine migrant children had a fun day, along with Clara and Euge (two attendants from Cáritas Ibiza’s Betania Centre) and five volunteers from Palladium Hotel Cala Llonga, competing in teams in a sports gymkhana in the idyllic setting of Cala Boix.
The beach was a completely new experience for the children, as they had never been there before, and they were most enthusiastic and eager to join in.
Nobody wanted to lose! They loved the competition, and they could see how everyone needs to work together to secure victory.
In addition, they felt part of the decision-making process, something that will help their personal development, self esteem and ability to participate.
Our volunteers (Nadir, Soufiane, Mario, José Ignacio and María) pulled out all the stops to ensure that their team won, and had to deal with unexpected glitches, such as the rain and the jellyfish.
Thank you to the Betania Centre for allowing us to learn the importance of teamwork from these children, and to feel their passion and energy.
“Before we left, one of the children, with a very open and sincere expression on his face, thanked us for the energy and happiness that we displayed.”
María González
Hotel Planner, Palladium Hotel Cala Llonga
“What they liked best was the volunteers from the hotel taking part as members of their team, and the warmth and enthusiasm they showed.”
Clara and Euge
Attendants from Betania
HAVE FUN, AND HELP YOUR TEAM TO WIN IN AN AQUATIC GYMKHANA
12 children from the Fundación El Gancho Infantil, a few parents, teachers from the school, a doctor, and volunteers from Only YOU Hotel Sevilla took part in a fun workshop for children, which was very moving and rewarding for the adults too.
The place? The hospital's La Azotea Azul rooftop. And the purpose? To show junior patients in a fun and dynamic way all about sustainable tourism and the different jobs in a hotel.
Each of the members of the team of volunteers, dressed as receptionists, waiters, chefs, and maintenance and cleaning staff, spoke briefly about their jobs, the benefits of sustainable tourism, the hotel’s organisational structure, and the responsibilities of each department.
And then... the really fun part... the children got to dress up for a role play game. So they felt like real customers, chefs, waiters and cleaning staff at the hotel.
Thank you, Fundación El Gancho Infantil, because with your invaluable and much appreciated collaboration you gave us the opportunity to make this activity possibility and to enable the children to forget for a few hours that they are in hospital.
“Thank you so much for this opportunity. We enjoyed it as much as the children did!”
Angela Cuevas
Volunteer
“It was such a lovely thing to do. It was genuinely a life lesson for me and my daughter.”
Mabel Vega
Volunteer
“Really lovely and very rewarding. The children had a fab time, and it was very moving for us. I loved the experience.”
Pilar Castellanos
Volunteer
“It’s very humbling to realise that sometimes we complain about nothing, and we need to be grateful about what we do have, which is a lot. You also value health much more, yours and your love ones’ too.”
María José Cupido
Volunteer and Hotel Planner Only YOU Hotel Sevilla
“Lots of engagement and enthusiasm from the people taking part.”
Teaching team
Hospital School
30 children, accompanied by members of the charity organisation Tienimi per mano had the opportunity to play and amaze at the Baby Club of the Grand Palladium Sicilia Resort & Spa.
Children of different nationalities took a dip in the pool and had a fabulous time, totally integrated, together with other junior guests who were also on holiday.
30 Palladium Hotel Group collaborators offered their support to make sure the children had a great day, having previously trained in clown therapy to give it their very best.
At the end of the day, the Association was presented with two sacks filled with new toys for the children to keep playing and smiling, enjoying life to the full.
Thanks so much, Tienimi per mano, for reminding us that a child’s smile is the most wonderful thing in the world.
“We felt very welcome, supported, and an integral part of your wonderful project. The children were happy and amazed! 😍”
Clown Zufolo
“Tienimi per mano” district manager for Palermo
“A fantastic place, perfect for clown therapy activities 🤡 and to make those less fortunate feel good. A great project. Thanks so much!!”
Clown Eccel
Collaborator with “Tienimi per mano”
“It was a special day for the children who experienced the feeling of carefree joy that all children should have every day. A wonderful experience for all the staff who took part and treated the children with absolute normality and the smile they deserve.”
Debora Lachetta
Deputy Resort General Manager GP Sicilia