Accompaniment at San Mamés

A STADIUM FOR EVERYONE

We Accompany People with Reduced Mobility

This on-field accompaniment program is designed for individuals with reduced mobility, ensuring that no one, especially the elderly, misses the opportunity to come to San Mamés and support Athletic Club due to mobility challenges.

Our goal is to make the stadium a welcoming place for people with reduced mobility, where they feel comfortable and at ease.

15.480

VOLUNTEER HOURS ON THE PITCH

+ 5.300

PEOPLE ASSISTED

With the change of stadium, we noticed that many elderly people had chosen to sit in the higher stands at San Mamés

The architecture of the new stadium, which is very vertical, made it challenging for some people to access their seats. This, along with the general aging of the population, led us to establish a field assistance service for individuals with reduced mobility, linked to the organization’s volunteer program, which had been launched shortly before. For the users of the project, being attended by volunteers was a valuable addition.

For the volunteers, most of whom were young students, the project provided an opportunity to engage with the organization, help others through their time and dedication, and attend matches at San Mamés.

Additionally, starting in the second year, three individuals with intellectual disabilities joined as volunteers through a collaboration with Lantegi Batuak. This role was significant not only for the volunteers themselves but also in showcasing that a person with a disability can contribute meaningfully to helping others in various circumstances.

Collaboration with:

Approximately an hour and a half before each match at San Mamés, a team of thirty volunteers is stationed at the stadium gates, organized in pairs or groups of three per gate.

These volunteers are accredited and easily identifiable by their green dungarees. The txapelgorris (individuals wearing red berets) are informed to direct anyone requesting assistance with mobility issues to the volunteers, but they are also encouraged to proactively offer help to anyone in need.

Volunteers sign a document that guarantees their rights, including training and insurance, and outlines their obligations. This document is known as the Internal Statute of Volunteering. We maintain the group of volunteers throughout the seasons, as we believe it’s essential for users, primarily the elderly, to feel a connection with those who assist them. Over the years, we have witnessed wonderful stories arise from these bonds.