Telephone befriending service Connect Fermanagh recently hosted a special spring event for their volunteers who make calls and those service users to receive calls.

Over much chatter and laughter at their get together in Fermanagh House, the group planted flower boxes to take home, which were provided by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Older People’s Grant Aid Programme via South West Age Partnership.

They also had the Policing and Community Safety Partnership on the day giving a presentation on staying safe and well in the home, with home and personal safety devices given out from the Department of Justice’s Assets Recovery Community Scheme.

Connect Fermanagh has been improving the social and emotional well-being of people throughout the county since April, 2020.

To date, the service has supported more than 200 individuals thanks to a team of 30 volunteers who make weekly telephone calls.

Calls from volunteers are supportive and light-hearted and help those who receive a call feel more connected to their community and know that they are not alone.

The majority of people who use the service are elderly, isolated or feeling vulnerable and many have poor mobility.

Connect Fermanagh have also found many of their service users are digitally excluded.

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

Aoife McGrade, Connect Fermanagh Co-ordinator, said: “Our spring event was a lovely opportunity for the volunteers and service users to come together and to celebrate the success of the service, which is growing from strength to strength, just like these beautiful spring flowers that they planted.

“While the pandemic was the catalyst for Connect Fermanagh, loneliness was already there and the need for a befriending service is still very much evident.

“For our volunteers it’s a quick and simple way to give something back through weekly calls. It makes such a difference to those feeling isolated.”

If you feel you may benefit from this service, or if you know of anyone who would, do get in touch.

Also contact Connect Fermanagh if you would be interested in helping provide short-term telephone support to individuals who are at risk of loneliness; telephone 028 6632 0230, or email info@connectfermanagh.org.

There’s no need to feel alone – the Connect Fermanagh team are there to talk and help in any way they can. For further information, see their site at www.connectfermanagh.org.