Each befriending relationship is different – we will try to make sure that each service user has a befriender with whom they have a shared interest. They will provide friendly conversation and companionship on a regular basis over a long period of time. All volunteers with Befriending Monaghan are Garda vetted and reference checked, for the protection of our service users.
You can listen to an interview with Carmel Hill, who uses the service on Northern Sound Interview with Carmel You can also listen to an interview with Liza Hackett, who organises Befriending Monaghan at Northern Sound Interview with Liza
Similar services have been running around Ireland for many years but it is quite new in Co. Monaghan so you probably have some questions:
Anyone living in Co. Monaghan who is over the age of 60 or otherwise isolated and who would benefit from some company.
Befriending Monaghan is run by Monaghan Volunteer Centre, part of Monaghan Integrated Development CLG (MID), the local development company for Co. Monaghan. You can find out more about MID HERE
Befriending is a regular, one-to-one service where a volunteer visits an older person in their own home or phones them, usually once a week.
The volunteer can provide you with company and a chat. If you have face-to-face visits he or she can also enjoy a cup of tea or maybe play a card game or watch a TV show with you. We will try to find someone with similar interests to you, whether it is sports or soaps!
No, the volunteer is not a home help or a carer and will not be in a position to undertake such roles. If you need further support, you should contact your Public Health Nurse (047 30477) or your GP’s clinic.
No, Befriending Monaghan is a free service.
Visits are once a week, for about one hour. Calls are once a week and can vary from 5 mintues to half an hour, depending on what suits you.
If you would like a volunteer befriender to visit you, contact Befriending Monaghan coordinator Liza Hackett on 087 0656793. Liza works Wednesdays 1.30pm to 5.00pm and Thursdays and Fridays 9.00am to 5.00pm. Outside of these hours you can leave a message on her phone. Liza will arrange to visit you. After the visit you will be matched with a suitable befriender. This can sometimes take a while as we try to find a good match. If you are having visits, the co-ordinator will visit you with your new befriender and introduce you to each other. If you are having calls the coordinator will tell you when to expect a your first call from your befriender.
The befriending co-ordinator will liaise with you and with the befriender to make sure everything is going well. However, if there is something you need to discuss or are not happy about you can contact the co-ordinator and she will do her best to get things sorted.
If you or anyone you know would like to use Befriending Monaghan or just find out more, please call 087 0656793 or 047 72191 and ask for Liza or email liza@volunteermonaghan.ie If you have an urgent query and Liza is not available please contact Sinéad Keenan at 087 0937054
Launched in 2011, Helping Hands is a Minor Repairs and Odd Jobs Service for Older People and People with disabilities living in Co. Monaghan. The service uses a pool of Garda vetted volunteers to carry out necessary small repairs and improvements to the homes of Helping Hands clients, enabling them to live independently in the community in increased comfort and safety. The work is co-ordinated from Monaghan Volunteer Centre and delivered free of charge. To be eligible for the service clients need to be over 65 years of age or have a disability, have no family members who could carry out the work on their behalf and not be in a position to engage a paid professional to do the work.
Minor gardening (e.g. trimming hedges)
Minor home decorating
Installing handrails
Tacking down carpets
Changing plugs, fuses and light bulbs
Installing security locks and chains
Hanging curtains
Installing domestic smoke alarms etc
Simply call the Helping Hands coordinator Liza Hackett at 087 0656793 and give the details of the job to be completed. Liza will then try to arrange for two Helping Hands volunteers to assess and complete the task. If no volunteers are available in your area Liza will let you know. Where a job is not suited to Helping Hands, the volunteers will inform Liza, who will offer alternative solutions if possible. Liza works Wednesdays 1.30pm to 5.00pm and Thursdays and Fridays 9.00am to 5.00pm. Outside of these hours you can leave a message on her phone or with Sinéad Keenan at 047 72191.
