With all the family living away it was very difficult to make mid-week appointments. Tim always stepped in to take him… He helped Dad with the post, collecting prescriptions, appointments, shopping, walking, and an array of other things! He treated Dad with the utmost dignity and respect, and we had […]

Mary said she is very grateful for a Support Coordinator’s support in getting a grant for a stairlift and is looking forward to getting it installed now. When the Support Coordinator was doing a second check-in call to enquire how Mary’s befriending match was going, Mary said: it’s brilliant and […]

I did a lovely befriending match in July, where the volunteer and older person drink tea and chat about their shared interests of hiking and travelling. This older person is really enjoying being able to reminisce on her past adventures as she has mild dementia, and she said she looks […]

Margaret has now been approved for energy credits through ALONE, and Bord Gais has cleared her account… as I said above the bill was over 5000 euros, and she no longer has a huge bill which is such a relief. I have never spoken to a more grateful individual, crying […]

A Support Coordinator spoke of a husband and wife they supported. Damien is the main carer for his wife, Patricia and he struggles to have any time to himself. He told the staff member he was finding it hard to cope and asked was there anything ALONE could recommend. They […]

Archie wanted us to know that his volunteer was the best thing that has happened to him in the last five years. He loves the visits and the company that he brings. He also wanted to let us know about a Telephone Support and Befriending Volunteer who calls on Fridays. […]

Margaret is 79 . For fifteen years I didn’t laugh or have a real conversation with anyone. I had a seven day week with no one to talk to. Margaret was never married and had little contact with family. Her only friend was a lady that she bumped into at […]

Joe is 63. After his marriage broke down, he went through a difficult time, lost his job and ended up living on the streets. I was living rough for a year or two. Then moved between hostels for a few years. But it was the loneliness that nearly killed me. […]

Leo, 73, has been living alone in Dublin for the past 14 years. When Leo retired he found himself feeling increasingly isolated and lonely. I was just sitting in, smoking. I had no exercise. I needed help to look after my daily chores. I wasn’t cooking. I wasn’t doing anything. I was probably […]

Owen, 85, lives by himself in Dublin city centre. Owen has lived happily in the same house for most of his life. He is quick with a joke and is a proud supporter of Liverpool F.C. Owen was first connected to ALONE through the Befriending service, where he enjoyed the company and companionship through […]

Joan, 95, is a former author and artist who lives by herself in Dublin. Joan, a widow, was first referred to ALONE in 1998 due to feelings of loneliness and isolation. The support Joan needs to continue living independently have changed over the years. ALONE ensures to meet these needs, enabling her […]

Dave is an IT consultant from Dublin who volunteers with ALONE’s Befriending Service. He visits John, 67, every week. Some older people are the most vulnerable in our society. By reaching out to someone who needs it and using my time to help someone has made me a happier person. Dave […]

Fiona visited the ALONE website after seeing a poster which made her think about what she could do to help older people suffering from isolation and loneliness. Fiona decided that she wanted to give back and connect with an older person through the Befriending Service. I was matched with Mary in April 2013. […]