The program, entitled “Abraço de Gerações”, is promoted by the Associação Cozinhas Económicas Rainha Santa Isabel (ACERSI), is based in downtown Coimbra, and is seeking to respond to two problems felt in the city – the difficulty of accessing accommodation for students and the isolation of elderly people -, said Teresa Sousa.

The initiative is promoted in partnership with the Associação Académica de Coimbra (AAC) and the Associação de Former Students of Coimbra, as part of a project entitled “Oficina dos Avós”, which responds to the elderly population of the city, with different activities.

“The idea was already part of the program, but it was a little stalled and we realised that, at a time when people are talking about the housing crisis, it made sense to launch it. Both students and seniors can benefit from this project”, highlighted Teresa Sousa.

For the technician, given the number of elderly people living alone, which ACERSI responds to, and the number of students “who are experiencing difficulties”, a project that promotes “cohabitation” is important.

In cases where the elderly person does not want or cannot accommodate a student, there is another answer in which the young person undertakes to make two visits a week and accompany the person to the health centre or pharmacy.

“But the main focus is on cohabitation, which makes it possible to ease loneliness and ensure that the student can continue his studies, but there has to be a relationship. Ties have to be created between the two”, she stressed.

ACERSI carries out a socio-economic and psychological assessment of candidates, as well as monitoring the process.

Despite economic conditions being important in the selection, Teresa Sousa stressed that ACERSI is also interested in finding a suitable student profile for each elderly person.

Those interested in participating (whether students or elderly people living alone) can contact any of the three entities involved in the project, she said.