RSS (Rural Social Scheme) have developed Home Visitation Service project in 2018 in as a pilot programme in North Kerry with support of NEWKD. NEWKD (North, East & West Kerry Development) works closely with the community and runs many projects for older people such as Home Maintenance Services, Meals on Wheels, Senior Alert Scheme. The need for home social supports is evident in running these services, as older people were reported suffering loneliness and a lack of social contact in their daily lives. This worthy project, which links isolated people with others socially in their community, has taken on greater importance since Covid-19 pandemic. We are hoping to extend this service further and wider in rural areas of North Kerry.
Commitment from the HSE Community Work Department and the team of HSE Public Health Nurses (PHNs) is a vital part of the Home Visitation Service initiative as well as support from An Garda Siochana and local groups and services.
We are now looking for people over 60 who would like to avail of this free social initiative in areas of: Moyvane, Listowel, Ballydonoghue, Duagh, Causeway, Ballyduff, Tarbert, Ballybunion, Asdee and Ballylongford. They can apply for this service by contacting their GP, Public Health Nurse, Listowel Garda Station or Daycare Centre. It is free, regular and continuous service aimed at those who live on their own, in isolated areas, have no transport or cannot leave their home due to medical reasons. Volunteers and RSS participants form an essential part of Home Visitation Service by calling on service user once a week at agreed time to chat to and offer companionship and a listening ear. Home Visitation volunteers are not required to do cleaning, cooking or attend to medical needs, they are there to support and link older people with services that exist in the community, keep a gentle eye on them and making sure they know that someone cares.
Home Visitation Service for older people in North Kerry Guide to local community services that our team are launching in June is a quick and easy tool listing existing services, groups and centres in the North Kerry area. We hope service users, volunteers and staff will find it helpful. Special thanks and acknowledgment to HSE Community Department Caroline Doyle who supported and worked on this project with our team.
We are also seeking enthusiastic, kind, sociable and sympathetic volunteers in North Kerry who are willing to chat, listen and socially support one elderly person once a week when visiting in pairs.
NEWKD/RSS Home Visitation Service adheres to and implements strict policies and procedures in regards to safety and welfare of the elderly. All volunteers and staff are carefully screened and also Garda vetted.
Please contact: NEWKD, 20 William Street Upper, Listowel, Co.Kerry 068/23429
for further details and information or visit http://nekd.net/home-visitation-service/
Included in photo are: Ena McEvoy, Phil Stack, Geraldine Kelly, Caroline Doyle, Eva O’Brien, Anita Dodenham, John Stack, Eamon O’Reilly and Jimmy Deenihan
