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Four years ago, a project was born in Italy with a very precise objective: to be a point of reference for all the families and all the citizens of the neighbourhoods in which it has an office. We are talking about "Il portiere di quartiere" (the neighbourhood concierge) association, born in Rome and then launching in other Italian cities, such as Genoa and Turin. President Paola Anaclerio told idealista/news about the services offered and future developments.

What services does "The Neighbourhood Concierge" provide?
What services does "The Neighbourhood Concierge" provide? Il portiere di quartiere

What is 'The Neighbourhood Concierge'?

"It is an association that puts itself at the service of the neighbourhoods in which it is based".

Where was the association born?

"My partner Monica and I started the association initially in the San Giovanni area of Rome, where I was born and lived.

What do you do? What services do you offer?

"Our project is based on wanting to be a point of reference for all the families and all the citizens of the neighbourhoods in which we have offices. The aim is to open offices all over Italy.

For now, we are in Rome, the Lazio coast, Castelli, Genoa and Turin. We get requests to open in other parts of Italy, but choosing the right people to manage the different areas is quite difficult. That's why, this year, almost all the branches have been opened in local Cafes.

There are many services on offer, from babysitting to osteopathy, from domestic helpers to lawyers, from carers to nurses, from the 'handyman' to psychologists and much more".

How has the project developed? And what are the realities present in Rome today?

"The project started four years ago with the first concierge at Appio Latino-San Giovanni. Now we are all over Rome, but also in Genoa and Turin, with a forthcoming opening in Florence".

An advertisement for the Neighbourhood Concierge
An advertisement for the Neighbourhood Concierge Il portiere di quartiere

Do you see much interest? From whom in particular?

"There is a lot of interest, both from people who want to collaborate and are looking for work, and from professionals of all kinds who want to expand their client base."

What are the future developments?

"The future is full of projects. In addition to the project that will lead us to expand throughout Italy, we have a project dedicated to children undergoing cancer treatment, which involves a free accompaniment service with our car 'Carolina' and our nanny-nuns who make the journey easier. There is also another project dedicated to mothers in the terminal stage of cancer treatment, with twice-monthly house cleaning by our volunteers free of charge.

We also collaborate with local markets and small traders in the neighbourhood to re-evaluate their work compared to the big shopping centres. And I hope that after four years we will be able to achieve the patronage of the municipalities which have been contacting us for some time. This is a project that, due to various vicissitudes, including Covid, we have not yet nailed down".