ALONE seeking telephone volunteers in Mayo to tackle loneliness

ALONE, the national organisation supporting older people to age at home, is calling on members of the public in Mayo to volunteer some of their time to support older people in their local area through its telephone support and befriending service.

ALONE’s support and befriending connects with older people who have requested a call, to provide friendship, advice and offer information on health and wellbeing, and how to get involved in local activities and relevant initiatives.

Six in 10 people contacting ALONE report being lonely, and look to the services for support. One of the ways ALONE do that is by offering telephone support and befriending services, but they need volunteers all over the country to meet the rising demand and to connect with older people who have requested the service. The need is in towns, villages and cities across the country.

This is a great opportunity to support people in your own community and it can be done from your own home. With all training and support provided by the quality assured volunteer programme ALONE offer.

Ireland is the loneliest country in the EU, based on an EU-wide survey by the European Commission last year and ALONE is looking for your help to combat this harmful condition that effects people’s mental and physical health.

Studies have linked loneliness to depression and mental health difficulties and to diseases such as Parkinson’s, diabetes, cancers, strokes, and even early death.

ALONE CEO Seán Moynihan said: “We know from our own evidence that loneliness consistently ranks as the number one support issue requested, and it has a severe impact on our physical and mental health. We would ask anybody with a few hours to spare in their week to consider volunteering with ALONE’s telephone support and befriending service and help to support people in their local area who sometimes just need to hear another voice or share a story. This can be done from the comfort of your own home at a time that suits you.”

ALONE provide all training and learnings to help support you with your volunteering role. More can be found out about this role at https://alone.ie/volunteer/ or by calling 0818 222 024. Volunteers can offer their time between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week.