Free elderly call service to expand network countywide

A free call service which provides a friendly ear and advice for people who are elderly, chronically ill, living alone or have mental health issues is to expand its operations in Cork.

The Friendly Call Service, which is a Cork City Development Partnership initiative, recently started up to help such people living in Cork City and its environs, but it’s now to expand countywide.

The charity, funded by the HSE and National Lottery Grants, has just moved into new offices at the Parochial Hall, Gurranabraher.

It currently has 86 clients, but is hoping this number will increase significantly as it gets more volunteers.

Friendly Call development worker Brenda Barry said the volunteers make a call every weekday, between 9am and 5pm, to clients.

“It’s a super service for people living on their own and a great comfort for people.

“We remind them to take medication, discuss any problems they might have and can refer them onto other services if needed,” Ms Barry said.

She said the charity gets a lot of its referrals from public health nurses, discharge coordinators in hospitals and social workers.

“The Friendly Caller will chat to clients about their day and will check on how they are feeling. The service provides friendship and security, making clients feel safer at home. If a client does not answer the phone, the Friendly Caller will phone a member of their family, a neighbour or a friend.

“A simple regular phone call can make a huge difference to individuals who are living alone, helping to alleviate loneliness and isolation,” she said.

On occasions the charity also tries to get as many of its clients together as possible for a social event.

Lord Mayor Cllr Mary Shields is to host one such event at City Hall on September 17.

The charity can be contacted at [phone].