Community project to provide listening service for elderly

GARDAÍ have welcomed the launch of a unique project which will provide a listening service for lonely elderly people and even give them access to handymen for odd jobs — all free of charge.

The Blackwater Community Connect project — which is partly funded by the Government — aims to make a difference to the lives of many of the 70,000 population in its catchment areas, which encompass Fermoy, Mallow and Blarney.

Project coordinator Mary Allen said initially four people would man the telephone service at Blackwater Resource Development’s office in Fermoy.