Josep has been the manager of Som — Fundació for many years. This year, he is retiring after 34 years of service. To say goodbye, we wanted to record a very special conversation with Ramon, the first person supported by the foundation back in 1992. Together, they recall key moments in the history of the organisation and reflect on how the way of providing support has changed over time.
Ramon: Josep, now that you’re leaving, who will organise the Christmas lunches?
Josep: Well, the foundation, Ramon. We’ve been organising them here for a long time because we are so many now. Do you remember the first one? There were four or five of us! We went to Porta Ferrissa Street with Mr. Pascual. There were three of us, and now we’re nearly 600!
Josep: And do you remember the first afternoon snacks? You didn’t ask me, but it’s worth talking about. Do you know where they took place?
Ramon: In the office.
Josep: Exactly, on Aragó Street, in the first-floor office. It must have been around ‘94. We were six or seven, and we had bread with tomato. We went out to buy it specially! Little by little, we grew so much that we didn’t fit anymore.
Ramon: Yes, and then we kept changing locations.
Josep: From Aragó Street to Gran Via, then to the Viladomat hotel, and finally to the Fundació Pere Tarrés space.
Ramon: You’ve been working here for 34 years. How many trips have you taken for us?
Josep: Oh, lots, Ramon! Mostly to Madrid, because we’re part of a national organisation. And about ten years ago, also to Europe, as we joined two European networks. Since we were one of the first organisations to provide support —back then we called it guardianship— we were invited to explain how we did it.
Ramon: Before working here, what did you do?
Josep: I’ve had a varied life. I spent many years in a convent. When I left, I worked as an accountant in a company, but in July ‘91 I was offered to join the foundation. And the first person we supported was you, the following year.
Ramon: And we grew a lot…
Josep: Absolutely! You’ve noticed, right?
Ramon: Of course, we’ve known each other for many years!
Josep: 33 years. We didn’t have white hair back then. I was in my thirties, just like you.
Ramon: Now the foundation supports nearly 900 people. I was the first. How has the guardianship system changed since then?
Josep: It has changed a lot. Before, the judge decided for the person. Now we ask before doing anything. Do you remember when you moved into the Valldaura residence in ’92? No one asked you anything. The City Council had already decided. That’s what we’ve wanted to change: that you are asked what you want to do, where you want to go…
Ramon: Now they do ask me when I want to go on holiday. And I used to think: “As long as they help me, everything will be fine.”
Josep: But surely you like it more now that you can have your say.
Ramon: Has your job been easy?
Josep: It’s had good and bad moments. At the beginning, it was complicated because we didn’t know how to do it. There were also difficult times when the Generalitat didn’t pay us, and we didn’t know if we could pay salaries. Now, luckily, everything is calmer. But I can tell you those were the hardest moments: having to tell someone who works well that they might not get paid, knowing they have to go shopping like everyone else, is really tough.
Ramon: And now what will you do when you retire?
Josep: I’m not totally sure, but I love travelling. I guess I’ll do more of that. I also enjoy reading, walking… Right now, I’m always checking the time. When I retire, I want to go at my own pace.
Ramon: Will you miss us?
Josep: A lot, Ramon. 34 years don’t just vanish overnight. And you, won’t you miss me?
Ramon: Yes. We’ll come and give you cuddles wherever you are.