ICARE committee on behalf of Homecare Independent Living were successful in securing funding for a much needed befriending service within the Armagh Area which is due to be launched in January 2012.
Due to the increase in older people living alone in isolation, feeling cut off from their family, friends and community, Homecare felt the need to set up a Volunteering Befriending Service to reach out to those older people who are most vulnerable in the community. Homecare have been successful in their bid to the CAWT (Cooperation and Working Together) Project, funded by the European Union to provide this much needed service.
The service will be offered to older people that live alone with limited family support and limited social and community contact or support. The aim of the project will be to reduce loneiliness and social isolation of the older person and volunteers will visit between 1-3 hours per week for a chat.
Our volunteers will:
- Encourage and facilitate people to become more integrated into their community by joining a hobby or interest which they have enjoyed in the past - this will include a broad range of health improvement programmes such as:
1. A short walk around the area
2. A visit to a local park, church, library or museum
3. Going to the swimming pool (with a qualified swimming instructor)
4. Getting active around the house and garden, e.g. growing their own vegetables and herbs
5. Baking and cooking with people with fresh healthy ingredients
- The service user will feel more supported and secure in their own community by getting to know their neighbours and community members.
- Homecare will speak to community groups and businesses to encourage them to volunteer and develop community support services to assist those older people who feel vulnerable in their community.
- People will be better informed of activities, events and general information about the community from the volunteers
