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Pictured here is Executive Director Mary O’Donohue, Regional Executive Officer, HSE Dublin and South East, Martina Queally and Emilia O’Connor, Programmes Lead.

Making Connections was selected to present a poster at the prestigious All Ireland International Foundation for Integrated Care (IFIC) Conference

The day focused on the importance of person-centred integrated care, a theme that resonates deeply with Making Connections’ mission. Connecting with experts and like-minded individuals reinforced the value of collaboration in enhancing care and support services.

Mary O’Donohue presenting poster to delegates at the conference.

Pictured here with other delegates – Executive Director Mary O’Donohue – who was invited to speak about the work of Making Connections at the HSE Stakeholder Event held at Talbot Hotel Stillorgan January 30^th. The Conference brought together clinicians stakeholders and service users to discuss the importance of integrated care and our collective efforts to shape the future of health for older people in our communities.

We are pleased to announce the return of Making Connections highly successful Walk and Talk programmes in partnership with HSE. They will commence in March 2025 in Churchtown and Leopardstown. These 10-week programmes provide participants with a wonderful opportunity to stay active, build meaningful connections, and enjoy the outdoors within a supportive community.

The programmes ran with great success last year. Here is some feedback from 2024 participants:

“Making Connections is such an appropriate name because we’ve all made connections, we’ve all made friends, and it’s all thanks to a wonderful group of people. They’re not just volunteers; they’ve become friends. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“I joined with my sister, as she hadn’t left her home in two years. It was the best thing she ever did, and I would recommend it to anyone.

Referrals for the 2025 programmes are now open.

• For clinician: If you have a client you would like to refer, please visit: https://www.makingconnections.ie/referrals/.
• For older adults: If you would like to participate, please contact your GP or clinician to arrange a referral.

We look forward to welcoming new participants to this year’s programme!

Making Connections was delighted to receive the Analog Community Award for services to older people.
Pictured here: Mary O’Donohue Executive Director and Debbie Land from Analog.

The Heart of the Community Fund is designed to meet the needs of not-for-profit organisations delivering vital services and supports to people across the island of Ireland.

We are very grateful to be a recipient of an Organisational Investment Grant in 2024 which has assisted us to meet core costs associated with delivering our charitable work. This funding has helped us to onboard new volunteers who are at the heart of the work we do supporting older people in the community.

Thank you to the Ireland Funds and your donors.

“My friend (Making Connections volunteer) takes me out once a week. The chats are marvellous and I have never seen so much of Dublin and Wicklow.”

John 87, who lives alone and doesn’t drive. He is supported by Daniel, Making Connections volunteer who makes sure that he gets out of the house, and has something to look forward to every week.

We are delighted to launch the Making Connections Social Walking Programme thanks to the support of dlr County Council and Healthy Ireland.

The programme offers people age 65+ an outlet for weekly physical activity and social engagement – supporting the physical and mental health of participants.

“Without it I’d be at home staring at the four walls. The support of the group gets me out, I always feel better after and I’m making new friends.” Bernadette, 89

Making Connections Volunteer, Sarah, speaks to Dublin South FM about the mutual benefit of volunteering, and how you can get involved in different ways. She also highlights the Give Wonderfully Campaign and how you can support the campaign by making a donation online today. Click the play button below to listen to the interview.

Making Connections are proud to be the charity partner for the Give Wonderfully Campaign at Dundrum Town Centre. We invite you to take action – to help us alleviate loneliness and isolation for older people in our community. We are sharing the message that “ageing is inevitable… but loneliness doesn’t have to be.” Check out our video below and click here to donate:

We were delighted to have the Walk & Talk programme featured on RTÉ 1’s Nationwide in October 2023. You are invited to watch the Nationwide excerpt to learn more about this innovative clinical-community collaboration… and most importantly, the positive impacts it has for people in our community.