Vulnerable Persons Register – a database of vulnerable and elderly people living in Buncrana Areas

Description

In 2020 a Community Policing unit was set up at Buncrana Garda Station. Gardaí interacted with elderly/vulnerable people residing throughout Inishowen. As a direct result a Vulnerable Persons Register was established at Buncrana Garda Station, containing contact details of elderly & vulnerable persons in the community. During the Pandemic Gardaí regularly visited each person on the register. 3 Community Policing cars were acquired to assist in delivering meals, groceries & prescriptions and on occasion to take people to doctor/hospital appointments. A strong bond between Community Gardaí and the communities became evident when elderly persons would inform Gardaí that they looked forward to the phone call or visit. In December 2020 in conjunction with local primary schools, Gardai delivered handmade Christmas cards to elderly/vulnerable persons in nursing homes and those residing alone throughout Inishowen.

Aim of Initiative

As members of An Garda Siochana, our central mission is to keep people safe and protecting societies most vulnerable. Our aim was to identify the most vulnerable persons in the Inishowen area and to set up a Vulnerable Persons Register where we would make contact with all those assigned to the register on a regular basis and ensure that they were ok. The initiative ensures that people feel safe in their own homes and assisting them to live independently in their own homes into their senior years, by visiting them, speaking with them and giving them time to talk to us and to express their concerns or fears and be reassured that we are here to help and assist in any way that we can. Advice pertaining to bogus callers, scam phone calls, home security and personal safety initiatives was an intrinsic part of this initiative.

Who is it aimed at

Elderly and vulnerable persons, especially those living alone. Ensuring that they feel safe in their own homes, that they personally know who their local Community Garda is and that they know how to make contact with their local Garda Station.

3 Steps critical to success

1. That the public were open to the service and were willing to be included in the Register
2. The setting up of a Community Policing Unit, to give the project/initiative the time and dedication required to follow through. That the Community Policing Unit were then able to engage with other stakeholders (ALONE, Donegal Wellness Cafes, Public Health Nurses etc) and continue to add and expand to the initiative going forward.
3. Community Drop in Clinics were established by Community Gardaí in Inishowen in 2022 in an effort to provide a service in isolated areas where there was no Garda Stations in the community. The service was introduced to assist senior persons who were unable to make their way to their nearest Garda station which in some areas could be more than 10Kms away. It is a service that has been extremely well received in our community as it provides a platform for people in rural and isolated areas to meet community Gardaí on a weekly/monthly basis to report incidents, have forms signed or stamped and engage with their local Gardaí without having to visit a Garda Station.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. At the start of this initiative it was important for Gardaí to establish rapport and gain the trust of the most vulnerable in our community. This was not immediate and it took time to build relationships with individuals who may have had a certain view of Gardaí and the role Gardaí play in society. However dedicated Gardaí attached to the Community policing Unit felt passionate about their role in the community and really wanted to make a difference. With so many demands on members our role can change on a daily basis, however the commitment shown by the members assigned to this unit has never wavered and has always placed great emphasis on keeping people safe within our community especially the most vulnerable.
2. When the Vulnerable persons register was established one of the main challenges was identifying persons in the community to include on the register. Also, identifying Key Stakeholders in the community to liaise with on a regular basis to enhance the lives of elderly & vulnerable persons in the community.
3. Community Gardaí listened to the needs of persons in isolated areas throughout Inishowen, who felt vulnerable because their nearest Garda station was 10 – 20kms away. Community Gardaí identified local community centres in rural areas where they set up weekly/monthly Drop in Clinics to meet the needs of the communities that they serve. In circumstances where people experienced difficulties getting to the clinics community Gardaí would call to their homes to sign forms or documents which they required assistance with.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. People feel safe in their homes, knowing that they can make contact with their local Community Garda at any time if they have queries or concerns. The families of the people are also very complimentary of the service and know that they can call on the local Gardai if they have any concerns about their loved ones.
2. Now, when Frontline Gardai go to a call that involves a Vulnerable person in the Buncrana/Inishowen area, Community Gardai are contacted and asked to carry out a Welfare Check on them and in most cases, that person is happy to hear about the Garda Vulnerable Register, and gives their permission to be added to it.
3. This was then followed by Community Garda compiling and delivering “Information Packs” to those on the Vulnerable Register. The Packs included information leaflets and advice regarding home security, oil tank thefts, bogus callers and personal Safety. The packs also contained a battery operated light to assist senior citizens should their electricity ever experience difficulties. Community Garda continue to follow up by attending at local Community Hospitals and Day Centres, giving talks on Home Security to those attending and providing “Information Packs” also. This is also a way to inform people about our Vulnerable Register and to add new people to it. In December 2022 the Community Policing Unit held a Christmas Party in Buncrana Garda Station, for the people on our Vulnerable Register. Approximately 80 invites were delivered across Inishowen and those that turned up had a wonderful afternoon! The local National School created hand made Christmas Cards for those attending and we included them in the “Information Packs” which were distributed on the day with Christmas decorations and treats included for all those who were present. Following on from the initiative, Community Gardai in Buncrana have now set up 6 Garda Drop-In Clinics in Community Centres across Inishowen. This service brings the Gardaí to the people. We are cognisant of the fact that Inishowen covers a vast area and that it may be difficult for people to travel to Garda Stations to get forms/passports etc signed & stamped. The Garda Drop-in Clinics are open to everyone to attend.