Friendly Call Cork is a lifeline to many
WHEN you’re down and troubled or feeling lonely and need a friendly call; fear not.
Friendly Call Cork is a free service offering a daily phone call to older people or individuals who may feel lonely, isolated, or vulnerable in Cork city and surrounding areas.
The service specifically targets people with chronic illness or anyone who cannot engage actively in the community.
“It is a lifeline to many,” says Jackie Fitzgibbon, who is a coordinator with Friendly Call Cork.
Engaging in meaningful communication over the phone can help alleviate loneliness.
Even in Ireland, the land of a thousand welcomes, loneliness is still prevalent. A report from Irish Life, The Health of the Nation, 2023, indicated that one in three adults feel lonely and isolated.
When was Friendly Call Cork established?
“It was established in 2010 to address social isolation of older people living in the Gurranabraher area of Cork city and disadvantaged areas and it was extended country-wide in 2011,” says Jackie.
The service now reaches deep into the county with calls to Midleton, Doneraile, and Bantry among other locations.
Friendly Call Cork was developed as a direct response to the issues of older people living in the area who were extremely isolated, confined to the home, and who did not have any regular callers to them.
“The volunteer service blossomed,” says Jackie. “Now we have a gang of volunteers; over 70.”
What do the volunteers say to the people they call?
“They have an easy-going chat about how they are doing,” says Jackie.
They might talk about the weather, about politics or about the soaps on TV.
"Touching base with someone who is isolated, lonely or house-bound, living on their own, is important. This was especially true during Covid, when everyone felt even more isolated and cut off from people.”
Friendly Call Cork gets the conversation going and the party going.
“We often organise social outings,” says Jackie.
“We had a tea party at City Hall, in the Clayton Hotel and in the Metropole Hotel that proved hugely popular.”
Everyone was in good company.
“The Lord Mayor came along!” “And we had a Christmas party. People have an opportunity to get out and become a part of their community.
“Friendly Call Cork can act as a bit of a hub, getting people to connect through classes like knitting, or getting involved in a men’s shed if they want to.”
The volunteers working with Friendly Call Cork are diligent.
“Our volunteers offer a relaxed chat on how the client is doing,” says Jackie. “If a call is not answered, the volunteer will phone a member of the client’s family, neighbour or friends. The volunteer may also advise clients on other resources locally that they can connect, such as Meals on Wheels, dementia supports, day centres or social events.”
How does one become a client to avail of Friendly Call Cork?
“We take referrals from the HSE, Cork City Council, ALONE and the Garda among others,” says Jackie.
Covid proved to be a busy time.
“During Covid, we scaled up our capacity rapidly and sustained this post-lockdown with approximately 360 regular clients, with more referrals arriving daily,” says Jackie.
“Most of our volunteers continue to work remotely, allowing us to seamlessly provide a service in the event of further public health emergencies or climate events.”
Friendly Call Cork proves an invaluable service to our most vulnerable citizens.
“We also run a minibus taking vulnerable clients to hospital or other medical appointments, which is an invaluable resource, and which is in constant demand.
Friendly Call Cork also assists the local Meals on Wheels service with delivery.
Delivering a service, and helping to alleviate the epidemic of loneliness, has made its mark.
“In 2021, Friendly Call Cork was the overall winner of the Cork Lord Mayor’s Community and Voluntary Awards,” says Jackie.
“Our clients, our volunteers and all our team were so proud to receive this huge recognition.
“In 2022, we won the Communication Award at the National Age Friendly Recognition and Achieve- ments Awards.”
The service continues to support the elderly and the lonely, tackling loneliness and isolation.
“We need to continually seek funding to keep the service up and running,” says Jackie.
Cork City Partnership manages Friendly Call Cork and provides funds to the service from its social inclusion budget. It also receives funding from the HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, CETB and from local companies.
With a friendly call, you are never alone.
“I’ve built up lovely relationships with the people I call,” says Marian Cannon, who is a volunteer with Friendly Call Cork.
“I enjoy the chat as much as they do!”
Marian is retired, but she doesn’t rest on her laurels.
“I am busier than ever,” she says.
She is a happy camper.
“I do what I want to do. It’s brilliant.
“I’ve lived here in Gurranabraher all my life and I even sleep in the same bedroom that I was born in! In a different bed after 70 years, obviously!”
Where did Marian hear about Friendly Call Cork?
“I saw an ad on Facebook looking for volunteers,” she says.
“I live on my own and I am very active. I was always aware of people who were housebound. And I know Covid did fierce damage when people were fearful to go out, even after lockdown. Having no-one to talk to all day is awful.”
Marian is a do-er and she’s a talker.
“I love chatting,” says Marian. “I love talking to people my own age, and I loved the idea of Friendly Call Cork. Becoming a volunteer with the service is the best decision I ever made.
I enjoy calling my lovely little ladies every day and having a chat with them.
When someone checks in with them, lonely people and vulnerable people feel more secure.
“I ask them if they need anything and if everything is OK,” says Marian. “It makes them feel more secure.
“Some people are blessed with families that call to them. Some people are not that fortunate and that can be tough. Lockdown brought the sense of overwhelming isolation home to them.”
It doesn’t bear thinking about.
“Imagine having the isolation all the time,” says Marian. “It is terrifying.”
She is naturally sociable.
“I put the kettle on, make tea and make the call and chat away,” says Marian.
“The people I call are always absolutely thrilled. And so am I. I tell my friends they should sign up as a volunteer for Friendly Call Cork. It is so rewarding. People out there need it and having a little time to give to others is so precious.”
For further information, please contact 087-6366407 or 021-4301700, Friendly Call Cork, Cork City Partnership Outreach Office, Parochial Hall, Knockfree Avenue, Churchfield Cork. Email:friendlycall@partnershipcork.ie
See www.corkcitypartnership.ie
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