Minister Mary Butler launches new ALONE services in Tipperary and Waterford
ALONE, the organisation that supports older people to age safely and securely at home, has launched a series of new services today in the South of the country; The Good Morning South Tipperary service and the Waterford Contact Services project were launched today by Minister for Mental Health and Older people, Mary Butler, TD. Also present at the launch were ALONE CEO Seán Moynihan, and Barbara Murphy, Head of Older People Services, HSE South East Community Healthcare.
ALONE were approached by Liam Kelly in 2019 to take over the running of the Good Morning South Tipperary service and to offer further services to older people in Tipperary and further afield. The service has been in operation for fourteen years and consists of weekly calls made to thirty older people by local volunteers from the Tigh na nDaoine Community Building in Newcastle.
The Waterford Contact Project is a support and befriending/visitation programme for older people in Waterford which has been in operation for twelve years. The project was originally founded by Mags Drohan of St Brigid’s Family and Community Centre and is an important service for older people in Waterford city and surrounding areas. The Project has a pool of volunteers who are available to visit older people in their own homes to provide social and practical support
Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler was present to launch ALONE’s new services stating “I understand the range of complex issues faced by older people and I appreciate the work done by ALONE to reach out and support as many older people as possible across the country. ALONE have my full support with the roll out of the services being launched today. These services will further enhance opportunities for older people to remain connected to their local community and improve their day-to-day quality of life.”
Seán Moynihan, CEO of ALONE said at the launch, “We are delighted to be expanding our services and reach to older people in Munster with the help of our fantastic staff and volunteers. We look forward to seeing these services develop throughout Tipperary and Waterford we to build on the great work and existing community spirit in both locations. We will integrate these teams with our network of staff and volunteers across the country so we can empower and support older people to age at home.”
Moynihan continued, “As a country, we are facing an ageing demographic and ALONE are providing essential supports alongside other agencies. We need to ensure that there is consistency of services across both urban and rural areas. Many more older people will be experiencing issues such as loneliness, transport difficulties and housing challenges in the coming years and we hope that expanding our ground-level supports will help to make a positive impact on the lives of older people in Tipperary, Waterford and throughout the country.”
The Good Morning South Tipperary and Waterford Contact services have been funded by the HSE under section 39 grant funding. Barbara Murphy, Head of Older People Services, HSE South East Community Healthcare stated: “It is great to see the level of support we have received from local communities as ALONE launch their wonderful new services in Tipperary and Waterford. We look forward to working closely with ALONE to support older people in need and ensure that no one is left behind.”
Contact ALONE if you have concerns about your own wellbeing, or the wellbeing of an older person you know. Their National Support Line is available seven days a week from 8am – 8pm on 0818 222 024. Further information can be found on www.alone.ie.
