Here’s the article that the lady who interviewed me yesterday wrote. It is going to be on the NCBI’S facebook page. I think its fab. I am delighted with it. I hope you enjoy it.
Volunteering during Covid19.
NCBI service user Shirley Healy has been busy listening, supporting and encouraging hundreds of vulnerable people during Covid19. Shirley, a regular volunteer in Cork based organisation Friendly Call, has increased her time volunteering to five days week making daily phone calls to those living alone and are elderly, or have a disability or chronic illness.
These daily calls have increased since Covid19 due to the closure of day centres so it is really important that we check in on these vulnerable people and be able to listen to how their day is going and if they need advice or anything. I never know what response Ill get as everyones situation is different, some calls only last a few minutes while others are much longer if the person needs to talk.
I get a lot from volunteering with Friendly Call, I enjoy the social aspects with colleagues and giving back to those who need support. As a result of doing this voluntary work, I completed a Diploma in Mental Health and Community in UCC and have found this has helped significantly especially for those callers that require emotional support, said Shirley.
Shirley is blind and has been involved with NCBI since childhood availing of mobility training, online technology tutorials and also participates actively in the weekly peer support group.
For more information about Friendly Call, please call Brenda 087 6366407 or 021 4301700.
Therapy Bits 