Community project to provide listening service for elderly
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.
The service will operate five days a week from 10am to noon.
“We will be trying to help mainly elderly people who live on their own, but there might also be younger people with mental health difficulties who could benefit. Basically we are here to talk to anybody who feels lonely,” said Ms Allen.
The community connect project will also offer a visitation service on request.
Ms Allen said the organisation was to employ handymen who could undertake small jobs in houses where the owners were either too elderly or incapacitated to do them themselves.
Garda crime prevention officer Sergeant John Kelly welcomed the initiative. “It will connect people living in isolated areas. It’s also important elderly people know the handyman calling to them is genuine. There has be a lot of crime involving people arriving to elderly persons’ homes offering to clean their guttering or other maintenance and repair jobs,” said Sergeant Kelly.
The handyman scheme will initially be run in pilot areas which are in the Clár region. These include the likes of Araglin, Ballyhooly and Castletownroche.
Ms Allen said it was envisaged that the scheme would expand with demand.
While the project is part-funded by the Government, the organisers hope shortfalls will be made up through donations.
However, they stress they do not expect those receiving the service, who may have little or no money, to make contributions.
Anybody wishing to avail of the service should contact 025-33490.
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