Befriending
The aim of Galway Contact's befriending service is to offer friendship to older people who are feeling lonely and isolated through weekly 1:1 visits from our garda vetted volunteers.
We always welcome new volunteers so please contact us if you are interested in visiting an older person.
We also welcome new referrals from older people who would like a weekly visit.
Seniors Alert Scheme personal alarms
Galway Contact process grant applications on a daily basis to enable older people to receive a personal alarm. This alarm notifies their loved ones in the event of an accident or health scare in their home and these alarms give families and friends peace of mind that the person is safe and enables older people to stay living in their home for as long as possible. Galway Contact processes hundreds of new applications and replacement applications each year and provides follow-up support.
Friday Morning Club
We also hold our own Friday Morning Club every second Friday in Árus de Brún, Galway city from 11.00am - 1.00pm where our older friends enjoy a cuppa and chat followed by activities such as bingo and meditation. Where possible we provide transport to the club for those who need it.
Weekly Lunch & Social Clubs
Each week we bring some of our older friends in to Croí na Gaillimhe, Galway city on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1.00pm - 3.30pm for dinner followed by bingo, exercise and music, friendship, fun and much more. We provide transport to and from the club for those who have no other means of getting there.
Technology for Older People project
As part of our involvement in the Healthy Galway City Initiative we have been working on helping to bring technology to older people so they can stay in touch with families and feel less socially isolated and lonely. This involves helping older people use eg. smart tablets to access important information, communicate with family and participate in programmes of benefit to them. We would like to thank Galway City Partnership, Galway City Council, Galway City LCDC, Healthy Ireland Fund, Pobal, Government of Ireland and the Community Mental Health Fund, supported by the Dept of Health for their funding and support.
Since Q4 2021 we have partnered with Galway City Partnership to support a community group for older people where they learned how to use technology, they socialise and take part in other wellbeing activities. Our support involves providing transport for those participants who have no other means of getting there
Annual Events
Over the years we have always held several annual events bringing our older people together to socialise and engage with their neighbours, friends and community. Events include a spiritual retreat and outings.
This year's annual Retreat will take place on 9th May 2024 in Croí Nua Spirituality Retreat. Many of our older friends find it very enjoyable and spiritually beneficial.
We will also have our Summer Outing on Sunday in July 2024 date TBD which is usually attended by our volunteers and the older people we support. We would like to thank the Red Cross, Community Gardai and Ability West for their support every year.
We will also have a Christmas outing in December 2024 and look forward to having an enjoyable afternoon with our older friends and volunteers.