Help for Loneliness
The Senior Help Line was established in 1998 to provide an opportunity for older people who are lonely and isolated. The service, launched by President McAleese, is operated on a voluntary basis by older people, many of whom are of quite advanced age. The volunteers have all undergone a specially designed training programme that was supported by other voluntary groups, including the Samaritans.
With the ongoing support and helpful involvement of the Health Boards, the service has progressed from one centre at Summerhilll to a national service, with c. 160 older people providing the service from centres in Ballincollig, Co. Cork, Limerick, Roscommon, Cavan, Mullingar and Finglas. New centres are currently being established and will come on line before the end of the year. It is notable that the original volunteers are still undertaking their duties with commitment and dedication.
From a service offered only on Monday mornings and Friday evenings, the service is now available seven days a week and the number of calls are steadily increasing. The calls are received from across the country and from both urban and rural locations. The lonely can be found in the heart of cities as well as in isolated rural areas. The availability of a friendly voice on the phone - for the price of a local call from anywhere in Ireland - is a welcome link to the outside world. When the voice is that of an older person, enriched with the experience of life, with sensitivity and caring, the callers have the opportunity to express, to a sympathetic listener, the fears and worry of their lives or just have a chat about life in general. The Senior Help Line is non-directive and confidential and all volunteers sign a pledge to that effect.
Continuous Development
The Senior Help Line will continue to be developed and as it grows it gives more and more caring older people an opportunity to contribute to society in a meaningful way. The volunteers know that they are needed, that what they are doing is of very real value to the callers and they feel good as their self-esteem improves.
Being an older person doing valuable voluntary work in the community is of great significance to the volunteers - they feel wanted, no longer discarded; they are included in society.
ARAs Involvement
Working with Active Retirement groups across the country, Summerhill Active Retirement Group is seeking to establish further links with groups in the North-west and South-east. In addition, plans are progressing for more innovative developments as the service matures.
Without the support of all of the Health Boards, through the Office for Health Gain, the Senior Help Line would not exist. From the designing of the training programmes to the funding of the service, the health board personnel involved have all contributed to the success of the service.
If you would like further information on the Senior Help Line, please visit www.seniorhelpline.ie
