ALONE have issued a special appeal urging more people in Donegal to volunteer for their charity.

ALONE supports thousands of older people to age at home. 

The charity is in need of support and befriending volunteers particularly in areas around Letterkenny and Buncrana where there’s a large number of older people in need of support.

ALONE is asking for Donegal people to show their famed community spirit by volunteering just a few hours a week to support older people in their area, either on the phone or in person.

Donegal is unique in that it can leave people who can’t drive isolated at home due to lack of public transport. 

ALONE connects volunteers with older people who have requested support, to provide friendship, support and guidance, and help them to get involved in local activities and opportunities.

With demand for ALONE’s services rising – and with loneliness consistently ranked as the number one issue facing older people – more volunteers are urgently needed, particularly around Buncrana, Letterkenny, Fanad, Falcarragh and the surrounding areas.

Loneliness cuts across all issues facing older people and volunteers are a vital connection for them across the county.

ALONE CEO, Seán Moynihan, said, “We would ask anybody with a few hours to spare in their week to consider volunteering with ALONE and help support older people in Donegal, who sometimes just need to hear another voice or share a story. It takes just a couple of hours out of your week, and the benefits to both the Volunteer and the older person they support are immeasurable. We offer full support and training to all our volunteers with our quality assured programme”.

If you are interested in volunteering visit www.alone.ie/volunteer or call  ALONE’s National Support and Referral line which is available seven days a week, from 8 am to 8 pm, on 0818 222 024.