Meath Befriending Network aims to reduce loneliness and isolation through a weekly visit to clients

Description

Meath Befriending Network helps reduce loneliness and isolation in older and vulnerable adults within County Meath through a weekly visit by a trained garda vetted Volunteer. Clients are referred through medical professionals, family, or self referral. Volunteers are trained in relevant topics, ie. communication skills, confidentiality, listening skills, safe guarding and wellness monitoring and participate in ongoing training workshops in physical and mental health issues to ensure the ongoing support and awareness of the Client wellbeing.

Aim of Initiative

The Meath Befriending Network action aims to strengthen the social ties within Co. Meath by providing targeted support to individuals vulnerable to poverty, social isolation, or exclusion. The action utilises a network of trained and supported volunteers who carry out weekly visits to such individuals, helping to alleviate their loneliness, enhance their social interactions, and boost their mental and emotional wellbeing.
MBN volunteers are equipped to offer more than simple companionship and will provide multifaceted support that includes IT assistance, activity companionship, emotional guidance, and other practical assistance. This approach ensures that marginalised, older, and vulnerable community members feel secure, valued, and supported.
Recent studies, including a 2022 report by the European Commission and research by ALONE, highlight Ireland’s high loneliness rates and the proven benefits of befriending services in mitigating health declines associated with isolation. These findings underscore the need for MBN services, particularly in the post-pandemic era, where many are still hesitant to fully re-engage with external social networks.

Who is it aimed at

MBN is aimed at all vulnerable and older adults within Co Meath

3 Steps critical to success

1. Thorough client needs asssessment carried out by MBN co ordinator to identify specific challenges faced by each individual, guiding the provision of tailored support and the placement of suitable volunteer Befriender
2. Ensure all volunteers undergo Befriending Training in relevant topics, ie confidentiality, boundaries, wellness monitoring,listening skills, etc, also garda vetting and reference checking to deliver the best possible service when placed with a suitable client.
3. Critical to the service is the continuous regular monitoring of the visits by the MBN Co ordinator to ensure both the volunteer and the client are benefiting from the visits while also reporting back on any further supports needed to improve the wellbeing of the client. Expand volunteer training to include IT support, emotional guidance, and practical aid, enhancing their capability to serve effectively.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Challenges consists of raising awareness of the effects of loneliness on both mental and physical health and the benefits of social interaction on health.
2. It can be a challenge to get some older people to engage with the service especially men living alone are slow to engage.
3. Recruiting volunteers in all areas of the County can be difficult especially male volunteers are slower to commit to volunteering on a weekly basis

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. Improved quality of life for clients through weekly volunteer visits who provide emotional support, activity companionship, IT supports as well as encouragement to participate in community activities thereby improving the social network and wellbeing of the client.
2. MBN volunteers trained in all aspects of visits and continue to upskill in other relevant topics which enables them to deliver the best possible service to their clients
3. Development of a forum for Meath Befriending Network to enhance social inclusion, focusing on peer-led sharing by volunteers and clients. The Development and implementation of support plans for the network that detail available and required resources and action steps, and improve linkages with local and regional decision-makers.