Bereavement group

A befriending group is seeking volunteers for people to visit elderly members of the community over the winter months.

Many older people can find themselves socially isolated due to illness, bereavement, living alone or caring for a sick partner as they age.

The groups’ aim is to lessen their isolation and enhance their quality of life.

The contact for the group is Helen Phelan on 083 4745789.

A group spokesperson said befriending is all about building one to one relationship based on trust, confidentiality and support. The relationship is a voluntary one on both sides.

The befriender is there to provide some form of regular practical assistance and support and the service is free to the older person.

The group provides volunteers chosen by the older person and the support worker and carefully matched by hobbies, interests, personality and availability times. The volunteer then visits the person’s home once a week on the same day for an hour or two.

As the relationship and friendship develops they may go out and about together, if possible. `Our organisation feels strongly that we would like all our older people in the New Ross district who wish to live at home should do so as long as they possibly can and want to. We see ourselves and our volunteers as an added support to other services in the community who work with and for older people.’