The importance of conversation and connection was at the fore of a special event for a charity originally established to tackle loneliness and isolation during the pandemic lockdown, but now continuing on with a new mission.

In response to the pandemic, local charity the Fermanagh Trust established ‘Connect Fermanagh’ – a volunteer-run telephone befriending service that provides a listening ear to help prevent loneliness and isolation for the people of Fermanagh.

So popular

The Connect Fermanagh service proved to be so popular and successful that it has now been established as a new charity.

Connect Fermanagh has been improving the social and emotional wellbeing of people throughout the county since April, 2020, and has supported more than 200 individuals, to date, thanks to a team of 30 volunteers who make weekly telephone calls.

The majority of people who use the service are elderly, isolated and feeling vulnerable. Many have poor mobility and as a result, are unable to access services or able to get out to the shops for weekly supplies.

During the launch event at Fermanagh House, service users and volunteers expressed how much Connect Fermanagh means to them.

The launch event was also special as many people who have developed friendships through the service were able to finally meet their volunteer from their phone calls, with some of the service users and volunteers speaking for more than a year using the service.

One of those meetings was between volunteer Paula Monaghan and service user, Mervyn Chittick, who said: “It was lovely to have the connection on the weekly basis.”

Mervyn, who lives in Enniskillen but is originally from near Ederney, had a lot to talk about with Paula, who lives in Ederney.

‘A real joy’

Paula said: “We never would have known each other and there was a connection there. Meryvn was brought up on a farm himself, and I was brought up on a farm, so we had a lot of things in common to talk about.

“It was a real joy to meet somebody and put a face to the name, because you have a preconceived notions of what people might look like.”

She continued: “I introduced Meryn to ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ [on television] as well, because Meryn used to love dancing, and I told him about Strictly, and he started watching it.”

Mervyn added: “She is a very nice woman.”

Lauri McCukser, Director of the Fermanagh Trust, spoke with pride at how the organisation started Connect Fermanagh, thinking it would a short-term project, but it has now grown into a fully-fledged organisation in its own right, and is addressing an evident demand.

‘A chance to celebrate’

Julie Carney, Connect Fermanagh Co-ordinator, said: “Our launch event was a chance to celebrate the success of the service, to date, and look forward to how we’re going to grow.

“The pandemic was the catalyst, but loneliness was already there, and even now without lockdowns the need for a befriending service is still strong.”

A spokesperson for Connect Fermanagh added: “We have also found many of our service users are digitally excluded [from a range of societal issues].

“Many do not have access to a digital device, or if they do, they do not have the knowledge or skills to be able to use it, or they have difficulty affording broadband.

“The pandemic shone a light on how many of our citizens are excluded from accessing information, health services, and communicating with others, including family and friends.”

If you feel you may benefit from this service, or if you know of anyone who would benefit, get in touch; telephone 0286 6320 230, email info@connectfermanagh.org, or see www.connectfermanagh.org.

The charity also welcomes hearing from volunteers who would be interested in helping to provide short-term telephone support to individuals at risk of loneliness.