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Friendly Phone Call Service |
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Background |
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As a result of frequent calls by older people to the Longford Community Resources Ltd’s Rural Transport Section, and a need identified by the Longford Older Persons’ Network, the need for the local Friendly Call Service for interested people was identified. LCRL and the CDB, in conjunction with the OPN, set up a pilot call service specifically designed to cater for senior adults living in County Longford. The project has been put together in consultation with the Health Service Executive, public health nurses and other community organisations, so that careful planning has been undertaken into the service. The Longford Friendly Call Service aims to be a benefit to interested older people living the county, by offering a free phone call service to older people, initially on a weekly basis. The phone call is made by trained volunteers at an agreed time. Older people can expect a human centred, local service, where they can feel secure and obtain supports where necessary. The service supports individuals who are interested in availing of the Helplink South and will also keep clients informed of local activities in their community and services available. Longford Friendly Call is a free service and aims to provide a service that informs older people on local activities and local services available as well as an opportunity for a friendly chat. |
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| Benefits |
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Personal service – friendly and confidential service from the comfort of your own home. |
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How it works |
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An older person who wishes to avail of the service make an initial phone call to the FCS. All details in regard to the way the service operates are explained to them at that stage. If they are satisfied and have decided to use the service, the person determines the day and the time when they will be contacted on a regular weekly basis. It is the person who decides ‘when’ they are contacted and it is FCS that makes the phone calls. No additional cost is incurred by the person apart from the cost of the initial phone call. The person will be sent a short application form and requested to fill in their name, address and telephone number. Also, the person will be requested to nominate a contact person to be contacted over the phone in case of an emergency: a person we will contact if we are unable to get in touch with our service user on a given day at a given time. Ample time will be given for a chat on a subject the person wishes to talk about. There is no rush or pressure. It is the person who decides what they want to talk about and for how long. At the end of each conversation the person will set up the date and time for another phone call. |
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Information required |
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Please note that all information provided will be confidential, kept safe and secure at all times. |
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Volunteers |
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Longford's Friendly Call is a voluntarily staffed service. All volunteers working on the service:
For more information on volunteering click here. |
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| If you need more information please contact the Friendly Call Service at 043-3349678 or Margaret Walsh, LCRL at 043-3345555 or email margaretwalsh@lcrl.ie. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Downloadable Documents |
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Longford Community Resources Ltd Updated 14th June, 2010 |
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