‘Friends of The Elderly’ Offers Community and Connection for Ireland’s Older Generation

‘Friends of The Elderly’ provides community support to elderly people who struggle with isolation and loneliness by ensuring a lifelong promise to each member.    

Loneliness is a growing concern among older generations and can substantially affect their health. Friends of The Elderly is working to change this by creating welcoming social spaces for older adults. In doing this, it fosters personal growth and improves both mental and physical health.   

Friends of The Elderly focuses on promoting change to encourage positive aging for longer and happier lives. In doing so, it provides the elderly with an inclusive community through social clubs such as knitting, technology, and arts & crafts, allowing them to live life to the fullest.   

In addition, this support goes beyond social connection. Friends of The Elderly also supplies essentials to those in need, such as food and hygiene hampers. This is particularly helpful for those living on state pensions as the rising inflation rates can cause extreme financial pressure.  

Community Foundation Ireland partners with Friends of The Elderly to enhance the reach and impact of this project through supporting their Social Club Programme of Events, in which older members have the opportunity to attend social events. As well as, the Friendly Call and Service Programme, where volunteers made over 26,00 phone calls to members. These daily check-ins offer reassurance and compassion to those experiencing loneliness and provide members the chance to chat. Through philanthropy such as these, positive change will continue to be made for the older generations. 

 Community Foundation Ireland has also supported the Friendly Call and Service Program with the help of our donors to gather €10,000 in funding. This funding went towards improving the program to keep up with the growing demand. This consisted of providing bill pay phones, food, and even birthday presents for members.   

The impact of these unique initiatives is evident. Friends of the Elderly have significantly enhanced mental and physical well-being by reducing isolation and loneliness, and by fostering a warm, welcoming community. 

Community Foundation Ireland is a philanthropic hub that proudly partners with Friends of The Elderly and over 5000 other partners. These contributions continue to work towards long-term, meaningful change.