Roscommon Friendly Call Service is funded under the community development measure of the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP).
The friendly call service applies the core principles of community development practice such as:
• Enabling older people to work together to make changes in their communities
• Empowering and including socially excluded groups in the decision making design and delivery of the service,
• Finding innovative ways of approaching the work of the service
• One of the main aims of the service is to promote independent living for the older generation in their own homes for as long as possible.

Roscommon Friendly Call service is a telephone service for older people, who may be isolated, suffering from loneliness and or maybe vulnerable, having little or no social contact. The project was the brainchild of Linda Sice, Community Development Coordinator back in 2006. A group formed, with Active Age representatives and local agencies to discuss the idea of establishing a social contact service in Roscommon. A site visit to Blanchardstown was arranged for the committee, and a further trip to Inishowen to see a project in the rural context was arranged.

What the Service Offers:
Roscommon Friendly Call Service made its first calls to clients in October 2008. We provide a weekly phone call to clients, sometimes up to three times per week and provide a means of social contact and human contact. The phone call to each client can also act as a reminder for hospital and doctors appointments. A lot of the time, it is just a chat and an ear to listen the clients concerns. The service operates on a Monday afternoon, Tuesday morning and a Wednesday morning. We hope to expand our service to operate on a five day basis.

Nomination of Clients:

Clients can refer themselves for the weekly telephone call, or can be nominated by family, neighbours or friends. Basic information is all that is required from Roscommon Friendly Call Service; we never ask our clients any personal information.

A form is available for downloading on this website if you would like to nominate someone you know for this service or if you would like further information, please contact Sandra on the telephone number provided.

Recruitment of Volunteers:

The volunteers, who operate the service currently, are also members of the older generation, who have plenty in common with the clients and understand issues concerning older people living in County Roscommon. Currently, the project has sixteen trained volunteers in total. All volunteers participated in certified basic computer training and communication skills training with the Samaritans.

Funding:
Roscommon Integrated Development Company, Community Foundation of Ireland, Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs.

Area covered:

The call service is available to all older people living within County Roscommon.

Specific sector (community/business/travellers etc.) service provided for:

Measure B: Community Development

Roscommon Friendly Call Service launch, April 22nd 2009, Gleeson’s Townhouse, Market Square, Roscommon town.

Contact Details:

Sandra Quigley,
Community Development Support Worker,
Roscommon Integrated Development Company,
Lower Castle Street,
Roscommon Town,
Co. Roscommon

Tel: 090 6630252
Fax: 090 6627478
Email: sandra@ridc.ie