"Never Alone Again": A mutual support group for single women is born in Olot.

GironaWhen my mother was widowed, she was 42. My brother and I, in a span of just two years, left the nest to go to university and never returned. From having a full life with others, in a short period of time, amidst many unexpected changes, she had to get used to living alone. She found ways to have plans she used to make with her family: traveling, going to the theater... Over time, she's formed a group of friends who share something in common: they're also widows, single or separated. That's why my eyes opened wide when another widow excitedly told me around Christmas about the initiative they'd just launched in Olot and had extended to the whole of La Garrotxa: a group that unites women like those who had found my mother with one clear goal: to never feel alone again.

Yolanda Ibáñez Vilalta created the WhatsApp group Dones Valentes on December 1st after a summer "down in the dumps" with depression, "despite being very happy and having a network" following a separation after thirty years of relationship. "When you separate, you do have a great network; they're already there for support, but there comes a point where everyone goes about their own lives, which is normal, and you become more stagnant despite being an open person," she reflects. "When I left it, I thought: no one should go through that."

That's how she started a WhatsApp group where the only requirement to join is being a woman, from La Garrotxa, and not having a partner. That is, being single, widowed, or separated. The group has now become a community of women between 35 and 70 years old united by sisterhood, where there are up to sixty subgroups for different activities. "I didn't want a group just for activities and recreation, but one that went beyond that, a support group," adds Ibáñez Vilalta. This is how, on the last Friday afternoon of every month or the first Sunday morning of every month, people find someone in need. There's also a group for finding housing, jobs, training, workshops, and more.

In just six months, Dones Valentes has already established itself as a community of friends where every morning they wake up to the fastest song sent by the group. Ibáñez Vilalta explains that the act of creating it was "selfish," because she never wanted to feel alone. But, as a result, the women who are part of it also say they feel more "empowered" and self-confident. We asked five members to explain their experience.

"If you want to go out, you go out."

Elvira Zarza, widow, explains that every day there are possible plans

One of the driving forces behind Dones Valentes, especially because it offers the most activities, is widow Elvira Zarza. She was also the first to join the WhatsApp group when Ibáñez Vilalta had the idea. "The project has helped me a lot, because the truth is, you can't say, 'I don't know what to do today,'" she says. "If you feel like going out, you go, because there's always a group willing to do something. It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever experienced," she says.

"We've been friends forever."

Silvia, 51 years old and single, says the group is a gift

"Despite having a network, the people around me have their own lives, and solitude is good if you love it, but when it's not loved, it's very hard," reflects Silvia, a single resident of Olot. That's why she didn't hesitate for a moment to get in touch to join the group when she learned about the initiative. Everything that has happened since then, for her, is a "gift." "We've had an incredible connection from the very beginning, the feeling that we've been lifelong friends. They're traveling companions who listen to you, help you, and if you need them, they're there, whether it's to laugh, dance, or cry," she adds.

"I can relate."

Marga, divorced for ten years, believes that the situation unites

What is it that makes Dones Valentes so sisterly? Is it that such a close-knit community has been created in just six months? For Marga Llach, 61, who has been divorced for a decade, the key is that "women in the same situation come together," and for her, this is very "gratifying." "I think this group will last forever, and we'll establish a very good network of friends," she says.

"Living alone is a taboo."

Susanna, 35, regrets that living alone seems strange

At Dones Valentes there are no age limits. Susanna, at 35 years old, is one of the youngest. "I am single and for me to enter this group will mean a very positive change, since the society is accustomed to the labels, which have to live in pairs, married couples and both girls – diu–. And the fet of living alone or being alone is like a taboo, a strange thing for my this group that has behaved me is to claim això: the fet of being alone will not be the same, on the contrary, there are constantly activities, outings, workshops, talks... even if you have a bad day emotionally you always have someone's support."

"Revitalizes neurons"

Montserrat, separated, says she has recovered her passion for life

The WhatsApp group was created at a time when Montserrat, 53, was getting out of a relationship. "Being in the group gave me a lot of motivation to network and regain my passion for life. For me, Dones Valentes has been a revitalizer for my neurons," she explains, listing the activities, and the activities.

"It improves self-esteem."

Anna has found support in the midst of a very complicated divorce

Beyond the activities, the Dones Valentes support group serves as a place to share difficult times. This is the case for Anna, 42, who has been going through a very complicated divorce for eight years with two children involved. The group's activities and meetings are restricted to single women and encourages women who are not in this situation to create their own groups.