ALONE supports older people to live at home. Part of that support involves an army of volunteers who visit members on a weekly basis.
One of their volunteers in Dublin is Maria Gabriela Contreras, who is an accountant with a pharmaceutical firm in Dublin. Gaby moved here from Venezuela seven years ago with her son.
"When I arrived in Ireland I didn't speak English. For sure the first year was the most difficult because we didn't have friends. I didn't know anyone in Ireland. The first Christmas was really sad," Gaby told RTÉ's Prime Time.
Like most immigrants Gaby has to deal with missing her family and friends, but she also has the constant worry about the disintegrating economic situation and constant political upheaval back in Venezuela.
Gaby became an ALONE volunteer in 2016 and was matched up with Peter, a widower and former master mariner. A major bonus for Gaby is that during his long career at sea, Peter had spent some time in Venezuela.
When we filmed Peter and Gaby together last year it was obvious that they had developed a great friendship. Peter is a keen cook and taught Gaby how to make apple pie and Irish stew. Gaby brought Peter to evenings arranged by the Venezuelan community to improve the English language skills of some of the older members. Peter accompanied Gaby to the test centre when she passed her driving test.
The pandemic restrictions have curtailed their visits somewhat and a lot more contact has to be on the phone. Gaby jokes that this makes her accent even harder to follow, and sometimes they just sing songs down the line together. Pandemics come and hopefully go. But friendships can endure.
Seán Moynihan is constantly on the move and his seemingly endless reserves of energy have come in useful in a year that has presented unprecedented challenges to the organisation. We caught up with the ALONE CEO in their offices off Camden St in Dublin. The last time we were there, it was a hive of activity. This time, a skeleton staff were present – the rest working off-site and at home.
Seán told us how the pandemic had impacted the organisation. "There was always a demand for what we do. It went up by 50% last year but nothing could have prepared us for what happened this year," he said.
While the organisation sent full-time staff home, volunteer visits were curtailed. They were facing a situation where there was an unprecedented surge in demand for their services. The phone line – 0818 222 024 – was heavily promoted, and call hours were extended. Since March, they have taken over 35,000 calls. Usually they have 5,000 people on their books. Now, it is 15,000.
"There has always been a percentage of older people who needed support to age at home. Those who were lonely, had physical health issues or their family had moved away or were bereaved," said Séan.
"Cocooning made their lives much more challenging and for others who were always very active it made them socially or medically vulnerable. People who had never needed services then needed services. And they are very determined to get back to where they were."
ALONE also provides help with housing, engaging with medical support and government agencies. When home visits aren’t possible, shopping can be dropped off by volunteers. In some cases volunteers are now part of a household bubble.
Phones are also provided for those who need them. The agency also had to adapt to the more severe demands that the pandemic created.
As Seán describes it: "We have seen a real journey of anxiety and fear and in some cases people with compromised mental health and we have done a lot of support and training with the likes of the Samaritans to ensure we can deal with that increasing support need."
The first lockdown had a huge impact on people who were already determined to live an independent life. Seán points out that most older people are net contributors to society – and are heavily involved in voluntary and community work.
"It has been heartening to see that so many have responded to their time of need I think the community has been absolutely fabulous this year," he said.
"From family carers to local authorities, the police, the guards, everybody has tried to mobilise. For us it is so hard to deal with the amount of people who want to volunteer. We have seen the best in people which we generally do during adversity."
Seán has advice for those who want to help: "I think what people can do is reach out to the people in their own networks, their families and relatives ….maybe the person you haven’t rang in a while is safe and secure and really make sure to contribute in their community."
And then, through the likes of Volunteer Ireland and volunteer centres up and down the country, they can explore a myriad of opportunities to volunteer in different areas to support older people and other vulnerable groups within the community.
