Lorraine Williamson
In hospitals across Spain, a growing network of volunteers is quietly helping children who face hospital stays with no parent or guardian by their side.
These volunteers offer not just practical help but emotional support. For children admitted to hospital without a family presence—often due to neglect, abandonment, or complex care arrangements—the presence of a trusted adult can be transformative.
Mamás en Acción leads the effort
One of the leading organisations addressing this need is Mamás en Acción. The group was founded by Majo Gimeno more than a decade ago after she learned of a baby left alone for days in a hospital bed.
Her response became a structured movement. Mamás en Acción now operates across various hospitals in Spain, mobilising volunteers to be present for unaccompanied children. Their role is simple but powerful: sit by the child’s side, offer calm, and be a constant presence during what is often a distressing time.
Companionship as a form of care
Volunteers read stories, provide comfort during procedures, or simply hold a child’s hand. According to healthcare staff, this emotional care can reduce anxiety and even speed up recovery.
Medical professionals report that children who receive one-on-one attention tend to settle more easily and respond better to treatment. The presence of a caring adult is not a replacement for family, but it fills an important gap.
Thousands of children still live in institutions
While Mamás en Acción focuses on hospital care, the organisation also advocates for broader child welfare reform. During a recent appearance in Spain’s Senate, the organisation drew attention to the estimated 17,000 children still living in long-term institutions across the country.
European recommendations encourage governments to place children—especially those under three—in family-based care rather than large institutions. Mamás en Acción is urging faster foster care placements and more support for foster families.
Former children in care speak out
Some young people who grew up under state protection say the moments of human connection they received—often from volunteers—were life-changing. These small but meaningful gestures helped them develop self-worth and hope.
Today, Mamás en Acción continues to rely on volunteers who believe that no child should feel alone, especially during illness. The group is calling for more members of the public to step forward.
Get involved
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Mamás en Acción through their website. The organisation offers training and support for those willing to give their time.
As Gimeno puts it, “A hug may not cure the illness, but it heals something inside.”