Donal is looking for your support

Donal is looking for your support

7 August 2013

AN urgent appeal has been issued for volunteers to come forward to help senior citizens across the district. The Bryson Charitable Group is seeking to recruit volunteers over the age of 18 to help older people who are experiencing social or geographical isolation.

The volunteers are needed to encourage people aged 65 and over to integrate into their local communities, helping improve their confidence and self-esteem.

The befriending service offered by the Bryson group is part of the South Eastern Trust’s Safe and Well project which was set up to promote older people’s health and well-being. Funding is also provided by the Big Lottery Fund’s Safe and well programme and Public Health Agency and is in place until the end of next year.

Volunteers who come forward will be provided with expert training and the Bryson group’s volunteer befriending co-ordinator, Donal Fagan, says there is an urgent need to recruit new volunteers to work with elderly people across Down District to meet increasing demand. There are currently 35 volunteer befrienders working with around 50 elderly people, with over 30 more senior citizens waiting for befrienders.

Mr. Fagan said older people who would benefit from working with a volunteer are identified via the Safe and Well Project, with the Bryson Group providing the volunteer training.

“We also help assess the needs of the older person and match them with a suitable volunteer,” he explained. “The main aim of the volunteer befriending service is to reintegrate older people into the community. “This could perhaps be someone who has suffered a stroke and recently been discharged from hospital, while there are some older people whose sons or daughters may not live close to them or who are away working all day.

“These senior citizens can benefit from having a volunteer calling with them. A sudden change in circumstances can sometimes result in elderly people becoming isolated and again that’s where we can help.”

Mr. Fagan said volunteers encourage senior citizens to join older persons groups and to make contact with organisations like Down Community Transport which provide a range of services for people living in isolated rural areas. While volunteers are not paid a wage, they receive travel expenses.

People who express an interest in getting involved take part in a two-day training course and also receive ongoing supervision once they are assigned to work with an elderly person.

Mr. Fagan said attributes which make a good volunteer include understanding and availability. He revealed volunteers are asked to commit to one hour per week, but the expectation is that they will provide several hours.

“ The work is rewarding and makes a major difference to the lives of many elderly people. As it can take up two months before new volunteers are placed with an elderly person, the Bryson group hopes that given the pressing need for more of these dedicated people that new volunteers will come forward and get involved in what is a very rewarding experience.”

Further information about the volunteering programme is available from Safe and Well Project co-ordinator Sandra Glover on (028) 9756 6934, 07525 898723, email Sandra.Glover@setrust.hscni.net or Donal Fagan, 07872 373679.