Latest News
Walk+Talk – A new collaboration with HSE, Churchtown
A new and exciting 6 week Walk and Talk group was launched in August 2022.The aim of the programme – with 24 participants to date – is to increase physical activity level and social engagement of older people.
This initiative is a new collaboration between MC, Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy Churchtown Primary Care and Community Healthcare East Health and Wellbeing.
The pilot project is showing measurable impact and the participants themselves are loving it
“I can walk further now, and I’m no longer afraid to walk to the shop alone.”
Making Connections – EU Family Volunteering Pilot Project
Making Connections was one of 3 organisations invited to participate in an EU wide Family Volunteering pilot project in partnership with Volunteer Ireland. We engaged families including parents and their teenage children.
Volunteers visited the homes of older people as a family. Activities included garden clearance, light housework, dog and animal lover conversations, games of scrabble, knitting exchange and social meet-ups for coffee.
“I can’t remember the last time that I got to make tea for visitors. We had a great chat and as a bonus, Pat even got my telly working for me. I love the visits, and I never feel out of place withthe ‘youngsters’”
Breda, 77
Partnering with Garda Community Policing Teams
Community Gardaí often encounter older people who are vulnerable, isolated and in need of additional support. Making Connections is delighted to collaborate with Garda Community Policing Teams to facilitate Gardaí referring older people to our services.
HSE Health & Wellbeing – Recognising the Power of Social Engagement
Making Connections joined HSE staff and Social Prescribing organisations in Bray on 20th June 2022, to share information and experiences about social engagement, as a way to improve Health & Wellbeing.
Ukraine Crisis Response – Supported by the Ireland Funds
On the 24th February 2022, the military assault on Ukraine by the Russian Federation unleashed a humanitarian crisis of scale. People have had to say emotional goodbyes to family who have stayed at home to fight. For those who stayed behind, life has moved underground as people seek safety and shelters, subways or basements.
The Irish Government stated that Ireland will play its part in assisting Ukraine and its people. In this context, a whole of government approach is being taken in relation to manage the crisis. Governance Structures have been established as part of the response framework to ensure there is a coordinated response to the crisis.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has established a local Community Response Forum, modelled on the forum that worked very effectively to coordinate the response to the COVID 19 pandemic.
Making Connections was an active member of the COVID-19 Community Response Forum 2020 – 2022 and is now one of only ten organisations invited to join the Community Response Ukraine Crisis Forum 2022.
The main purpose of the Forum is to proactively lead the development of a co-ordinated response to support refugees arriving from Ukraine. Making Connections will be advocating for the needs of older people with the support of The Ireland Funds.