Help is at hand if you are isolated and lonely

THIS letter is in response to your recent article on elderly suicide.

The aim of our service is to help alleviate rural and social isolation and loneliness, to recover independence rather than a dependence on our service, and help reintegrate people back into their own community. It is free of charge and is run in conjunction with FÁS through a community employment scheme.

All our staff are trained in occupational first aid, communications, ASIST, Elder Abuse and Manual Handling and Patient moving. We call on people in their own homes for a chat, a game of cards or just to listen. We will organise social events where people with common interests can meet up or accompany people on journeys outside the house.