Its Good to Talk GAA

Description

It’s Good to Talk GAA was a joint initiative between Monaghan Age Friendly Programme and Monaghan GAA County Board. Current and former Monaghan GAA stars volunteered to call older people who were cocooning during the level 5 restrictions during March-May 2020. Monaghan Age Friendly programme approached Monaghan GAA county board to explore the potential of GAA players from the county taking time to make a call to older people in the county who were isolated and lonely due to the COVID 19 Pandemic. All players and management on the current Monaghan GAA senior panels both men and ladies signed up to the initiative along with former GAA stars from the county. the initiative was promoted widely across the county inviting people to request a call for their older family members, friends or neighbours. The initiative was a huge success with request for calls coming from all over the county and beyond. Requests came from Cork, Kerry Dubai and New York to make calls to older people in the county. Monaghan GAA players past and present made over 120 calls to older people during the period.

Aim of Initiative

The initiative was aimed at older people who were isolated and lonely due to the covid 19 public health restrictions.

Who is it aimed at

The initiative was aimed at older people who were isolated and lonely due to the covid 19 public health restrictions.

Steps critical to success

1. Committment from Monaghan GAA
2. Promotion of the initiative in the community

Challenges in Planning / Delivery

Outcomes / Benefits

1. Hugely positive impact on older people who received the calls
2. Hugely positive impact on the players who made the calls
3. opportunity to identify older people in need of supports at the time