For over a year volunteers and staff that operate helplines for charitable organisations have been hearing from people who are struggling during the pandemic. A lot of the issues that people would ring with, would stem from loneliness, according to Michael McDaid, who works as a volunteer with Alone s support line.
The charity, which provides support for older people, launched its National Support Line in February 2020 - a month before Covid-19 restrictions saw life in Ireland grind to a halt. Since then Alone has received nearly 49,000 calls.
Staff and volunteers at the organisation also make calls to people offering services such as support and befriending phone calls, check-in calls and return calls. Since 9 March 2020 up until and including the first quarter of this year, the charity made 177,140 calls offering these services.
At the end of the line: On call during Covid pandemic
rte.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from rte.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
One Year On: Charity reflects on year milestone since first Covid-19 restrictions were put in place
kilkennypeople.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kilkennypeople.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.