The Community Foundation for Ireland set up the Covid Response Fund to provide support to some of the most vulnerable groups in society. Older people are one of the most at risk groups, with those over 70 asked to stay indoors and cocoon until the beginning of May when some restrictions were eased. This has provided challenges for communities to cater for older people and as a result we have funded many local community/voluntary groups who provide meals on wheels services to elderly residents who need them and other services to ensure they don’t feel isolated.
Due to older people cocooning, there has been a significant increase in the amount of people who require meals on wheels services as well as groceries/fuel etc. delivered. Keadue Social Services in Roscommon received €4,067 to help delivers meals to some of the most rural parts of North Roscommon and Leitrim. Many of their clients live alone and have no other means of support at this critical time. In addition to delivering a meal, drivers collect shopping for clients and deliver it direct to their door.
In Cork, Skibbereen Geriatric Society received €8,000 to expand their meals on wheels service from four to six days a week. They have also increased the amount of areas they deliver to in an effort to help reach people in more isolated rural areas. Before Covid 19, they would have delivered approx. 25 meals, and now are currently delivering 75 meals every day and this number is increasing daily.
Making connections received a grant of €5,000. They have put face to face befriending and supports service on hold and adapted their service provision to meet the evolving needs of older vulnerable people during COVID 19 and to support front line health care workers who refer those most in need to them. Is opening phone line from 8am – 8pm to older people in the wider community, mobilising up to 100 volunteers for shopping/groceries, partnering with local food suppliers so older people most in need can access nutritious ready cooked hot meals 6 times a week and is providing regular updates to older people about government advice around COVID19.
As with our Older Persons Fund, we want to ensure the inclusion and support of older people in our communities during these challenging times and beyond by funding organisations who are best placed to respond to their needs. If you would like to find out more information on how you can support causes close to your heart and improve the lives of vulnerable communities visit our Giving section here.