Dave is an IT consultant from Dublin who volunteers with ALONE’s Befriending Service. He visits 67 year old John every week.
“For me it’s about championship and trust. I consider John a good friend of mine now and I can really see the benefit befriending has had.”
Dave and John enjoy a range of activities together, from at first just having a chat in John’s home to going to a local café, to driving to the countryside and even last month spending an evening out in Ikea. Dave is aware of the benefit that not only John gets from their time together but also himself.
“Some older people are the most vulnerable in our society and reaching out to someone who needs it, to use my time to help someone, has made me a happier person.”
If befriending an older person like John is something you would be interested in doing we are currently recruiting Befriending Volunteers to join the ALONE team. If you would like to know more, we are holding an Information Evening in the Central Hotel, Exchequer Street, Dublin 2 next Monday, April 27th. Please contact enquiries@alone.ie or call 01 679 1032 to for further details and to register for the event.
