A CHARITY which provides a telephone lifeline to older people says their services are needed now more than ever as they face into the realities of the recession.
The Good Morning Service involves local volunteers making a regular phone call to people aged over sixty, so as to ensure they are safe and well. The service is free and confidential.
Frances Browne, Good Morning Service Coordinator, told us: “I believe our service has become more valuable and essential to our clients in these times of cutbacks in health and social service provision.
“Our simple daily telephone call, from our friendly volunteers, ensures they are safe and well and gives them access to our Care & Repair or Advocacy service.
“It assists them in solving some of the everyday issues and difficulties that can lead to illness or depression. We ‘mind’ our service users and do everything we can to ensure they remain happy, healthy and contented in their home for as long as they wish.”
Frances revealed: “In the past six months, older people have spoken to the Good Morning Service about loneliness, financial worries, fuel poverty, isolation and feeling vulnerable in their homes.
“The Good Morning service users request visits from volunteers; help with repairs in the home; support following bereavement; and advice on issues such as meals on wheels; accessing health care; the digital switchover; home help; hospital waiting lists; and personal health. Older people regularly spoke to the service about feeling lonely, isolated, and worried about money, paying bills and keeping their homes warm.”
The Good Morning Service AGM will discuss the key issues facing people over sixty, and how best to support their needs. It will be held on November 6th in the Silver Tassie Hotel, Letterkenny, at 2.30pm. This is a public meeting and everyone is welcome to attend. Active age advocate, Brenda Whitley, will speak at the meeting.
The Good Morning Service has centres in Buncrana, Donegal Town, Falcarragh, Letterkenny, Lifford, and Burtonport. The Service supports over 400 older people in the county, with over 100 volunteers making more than 900 calls to them per week. In Inishowen, the service also provides the Friendly Face Befriending scheme that matches a volunteer with an individual who feels isolated or vulnerable, alongside the Care & Repairservice offering older people help with home maintenance; light repair work; shopping; transport and social services.
FURTHER INFORMATION FOR READERS:
* If you are over the age of 60, and facing any of these issues, remember you are not alone.
- The Good Morning Service’s phone call with a volunteer offers a chat, advice, referral to supports, or a chance to talk about any concerns you might have.
- The Service is free and available to anyone over the age of 60 living in County Donegal.
- To register for the service, contact the Buncrana office on 074-9321598.
Would you like to support older people in Donegal?
- Contact 074-9321598 if you are interested in volunteering. The service is currently looking for volunteers in Falcarragh, Donegal Town, Letterkenny, Lifford, and Burtonport.
- You can also help by making time to talk, and listen to, any older person who might be feeling lonely, isolated, or needing support. Just a smile and the offer of a chat can make a big difference in the life of someone who is living alone.