ALONE’s Befriending Service offers companionship to isolated older people through weekly visits by trained and supported volunteers. We try to match volunteers to the people they visit, ensuring compatibility and common interests where possible.
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Who Is The Befriending Service For?

Anyone over 70 living in the Dublin area can apply to be visited by an ALONE volunteer. All kinds of people use the service and fi nd that the benefits are numerous. In allocating volunteers to visits priority is given to older people who find it difficult to get out of the house or who are isolated in their community.

How Does The Befriending Service Work?

Visits are for approximately an hour a week and it is up to the older person and the volunteer to agree what works for both of them in terms of day and time. Some of the people we visit prefer to stay at home while others take the opportunity to get out and about with the volunteer to accompany them. The main thing is for the older person to let us know what they would like and we will do our best to accommodate them.

ALONE volunteers are not home-helps or care assistants and are not qualified to do that work. However if someone does need help around the home or with personal care then ALONE can support them in getting these services.

How Does Someone Apply For The Befriending Service?

When somebody asks for a visit an ALONE worker will call on them to discuss the service and to answer any questions that they may have. They will be asked if they have a preference for a male or female visitor or if they have any special requirements.

When a suitable volunteer becomes available they will be introduced by an ALONE worker or experienced volunteer. Once both parties are happy that they will get along they arrange future visiting times between themselves.

The ALONE Volunteer Coordinator is always available should the older person have questions or need support or in the rare instance that the visit is not working out. Our volunteers receive core training in issues effecting older people and are supported by the Volunteer Coordinator and through a mentoring system.

Please get in touch with us if you would like more information or to speak to someone about the Befriending Service.