Volunteers play a vital and active role in all of ALONE’s services and are involved in every level of the organisation

FAQs from our National Support Line

I’m a professional and want to refer a client/patient to ALONE services (Social Worker, hospitals, GPs, Primary Care Team, Community Services)

Please complete a referral form here –  or call our dedicated referral line for professionals at 01 223 3632. 8am-8pm Mon-Fri; 9am-5pm Weekends & Bank Holidays

I need help with getting my shopping/medication/pension from the post office

ALONE is here to help you anyway we can, if there is no one in your family/neighborhood network call us on 0818 222 024 from 8am – 8pm, seven days a week and we will get you sorted out as best we can.

I am not a tenant but have a housing issue and need a tradesman for a small job (lightbulb change, installing rails, plumbers, electricians etc.)

ALONE is here to help you anyway we can, if there is no one in your family/neighborhood network call us on 0818 222 024 from 8am – 8pm, seven days a week and we will get you sorted out as best we can. Although the bigger jobs might take more time.

I have a housing issue and I am not a tenant and I need support with contacting services (repairs, need support with getting an appliance, housing adaptation, gardening etc.)

ALONE is here to help anyway we can please just call us on 0818 222 024 from 8am – 8pm, seven days a week.

As I am an older person I want to know what I am entitled to

You can call us here at ALONE directly on 0818 222 024 from 8am – 8pm, seven days a week and we can check it out for you or if you have the internet you can look at ; https://www.citizensinformationboard.ie/downloads/guides/Guide_to_entitlements_for_over_sixties_2018.pdf

I need financial support (for bills, purchasing large furniture/ appliances etc.)

ALONE is here to help anyway we can please just call us on 0818 222 024 from 8am – 8pm, seven days a week. We can talk with other organisations in our network and we can assist with Social Welfare advice also.

I need financial support for a large home renovation/ bathroom adaptation

ALONE is here to help anyway we can please just call us on 0818 222 024 from 8am – 8pm, seven days a week. We can advise you on the range of grants available from local councils and we can share the details with you.

I think I need a panic/falls alarm system

ALONE is here to help anyway we can please just call us on 0818 222 024 from 8am – 8pm seven days a week, we can advise you on the Government run Senior Alert Scheme and who best to get in touch about it.

When can I do/go (Questions about COVID Restrictions & Phases Reopening)

The best guide to updated Covid-19 restrictions is here – but if you cannot access it please just call us here at ALONE 0818 222 024 from 8am – 8pm, seven days a week, and we can give you latest Government advice.

I’m worried about an older person. Can you phone them/ call into them?

We would urge you to make contact with the older persons local Garda Station and to request the community Gardai to check in with them. However, if you are reluctant to do this, call us here at ALONE 0818 222 024 from 8am – 8pm, seven days a week and we can discuss the best options.

I need medical advice

We are not a medical service unfortunately and we always recommend you take medical advice from a professional only. If you are having trouble contacting, your GP/Out of Hours GP/HSELive/ Emergency Services please call us here at ALONE 0818 222 024 from 8am – 8pm, seven days a week, and we will help you.

I’m looking for support with transportation to a medical appointment

ALONE does not provide transportation ourselves but if you have no other options please call us on 0818 222 024 from 8am – 8pm, seven days a week, and we will go through the different choices and help you get in touch with them.

I’m struggling with loneliness

Loneliness is something that you can just realise and not know how it happened, ALONE is here to help anyway we can please just call us on 0818 222 024 from 8am – 8pm, seven days a week. We can talk with you about your situation and discuss the best way out of loneliness.

I need help with using my phone/tablet/computer

ALONE is here to help anyway we can please just call us on 0818 222 024 from 8am – 8pm, seven days a week. We can talk with other organisations in our network and get you the best advice and online as soon as possible.

I am enquiring about the COVID Vaccine and booster shots

ALONE is here to help anyway we can please just call us on 0818 222 024 from 8am – 8pm, seven days a week and we can discuss your situation and the best way to resolve it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ALONE do to ensure quality of service, transparency, and accountability?
  • Our accounts are externally and independently audited and we comply with SORP standards.
  • We publish an Annual Report which shows the work that we do, the outcomes achieved and our income and expenditure.
  • We have achieved the internationally recognised ISO quality standard for services delivery. In 2019 we attained the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Standard Award.
  • We comply with the Charities Institutes Ireland Triple Lock Standards, ensuring transparent reporting, good fundraising and governance.
  • Our services are internally and externally audited. Internal audits are carried out yearly. Annual external audits are conducted by an ISO auditor.
  • In 2015 an external evaluation of ALONE’s Befriending service was undertaken and a report was published.
  • We have signed up to the Government’s Voluntary Code for Housing Bodies.
  • Our Board operates to good practice guidelines for governance and has signed up to our Governance Code.
  • We are a member of the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) and we participate in the HAPM (Housing Association Performance Management)
  • We are an approved Housing Body.
  • We are a registered charity –  our registered charity number is 20020057 and our CHY number is 8259.
How does ALONE ensure value for money?
  • We do not duplicate other organisations’ services but work in partnership.
  • We believe that our cost-versus-benefit ratio is second to none.
  • We provide high-value, low-cost services while still working with those most in need.
  • We have a strong ethos on how we manage money which has been donated.
  • We look for cost substitution before spending money.
  • We do not pay any third party fundraisers.
Does ALONE receive any kind of government funding?

ALONE receives some funding from the government for specific projects. We continue to rely on the generosity of the general public for the day-to-day running of our vital services.

Where do donations go?

All individual donations raised and provided to ALONE whether general or Corporate are used for the provision of services.

What percentage of donations goes directly to services for older people?

For all charitable donations raised for specific campaigns 100% goes directly to the delivery of the campaign/service.

All restricted funding received is administered as per the funding agreement to deliver services.

From all general donations, as per ALONE’s 2020 Audited Accounts which is available in online, 90% of ALONE expenditure was on Charitable activities and support.

How much are paid to ALONE’s Board Members?

€0

How many people are paid a salary of €100,000 or more?

None

What salary, pension arrangements and other benefits are paid to the CEO?

The CEO has a salary similar to an assistant principal officer in the Civil Service. There are no hidden payments and no top-ups. The CEO also operates as the General Manager and spokesperson for ALONE.

Who set the pay of the CEO in ALONE?

The Board of Trustees for ALONE approves wages and salaries. This is done through recommendations from the Human Resources subcommittee.

What does ALONE pay its other staff?

In 2020, ALONE staff annual salaries were between €24-€65k reflecting their role and related Experience/Training.

ALONE makes a 3-5% annual contribution into Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) after two years of employment. There is no long term liability for ALONE as these are a defined contribution plan.

ALONE staff costs for wages and salaries in 2020 were €2,364,676. Social security costs were €255,986 and pension costs were €42,687.

What was the cost of generating funds?

€178,172 (2020)

What was that amount generated through fundraising, donations and voluntary income?

€4,492,069 (2020)

What was the organisation’s total income and expenditure?

Income €7,348,992 (2020)

Expenditure €4,770,653 (2020)

What is the breakdown of volunteers to staff?

ALONE has over 2,990 volunteers and more than 71 staff members (2020).

Volunteers and staff work across all the departments.

Exact number of volunteers may fluctuate throughout the year but is growing yearly.

What do your volunteers do?

ALONE volunteers provide an invaluable service through their generous donation of time. Many of our volunteers are ‘Befrienders’ who visit or call older people on a weekly basis to provide companionship and social engagement.

Other volunteers support ALONE in areas such as communications, research, administration, services, maintenance, event management, transportation, cleaning, and gardening.

What is ALONE doing now to help older people?

We have doubled in size in the last four years because we are needed now more than ever. Demand for assistance has tripled, and our number of volunteers has also tripled in response.

Why is ALONE a Trust?

ALONE was set up as a trust nearly 40 years ago to protect its assets. The deed of trust has a scheme of incorporation.

ALONE’s status as a Trust ensures greater accountability. As a trust, ALONE has to submit to external audits; we must get permission to buy and sell property, and when doing so we are obliged to explain who we are buying from or selling to and why, and to submit details of all costs involved.

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