Life is for living when a friend calls...

Friendship is one of life's wonderful blessings; it is trust, companionship, someone to go places with - or simply to converse with in the privacy of one's home. This is year two of the Border Counties Befriending Project and, since it was launched 12 months ago, the project has made a real and positive difference to a significant number of people who have availed of this unique person friendly scheme. The befriending project is simply what it says - it is a forging of one to one friendships between a trained volunteer befriender and someone who benefits from this friendship. The beneficiary can be someone who lives on their own and would like someone to call and talk to them. It can also be a person who is part of a household who feels that they need someone to talk to outside of their current setting. The trained volunteer has the ability to listen and understand and always treats the relationship in the strictest of confidence. The person who seeks participation in the befriending scheme may just want someone to converse with or on the other hand they might seek it for its social aspects in the sense that the volunteer can accompany them out for a cup of tea or to some event in the community. People through no fault of their own may find themselves isolated, particularly in the Border Region, both North and South. During the years of the troubles travelling in the immediate proximity of the border tended to be curtailed at night time and many people, especially the elderly, often felt alone. Also in the wider general catchment area of these counties the practice of ceiling largely died out over the past 30 to 40 years and when this occurred it left a void in people's lives, particularly among those who lived alone and didn't have any means of transport of their own. Now the befriending project is trying to provide opportunities for people to re-connect and re-engage with others. Having someone to talk to is good for both body and soul and the befriending project is all about social engagement at down to earth, personal level. On the other hand if the befriended person wishes to be part of a group setting then this too can be arranged as part of the scheme. "It is about supporting people and enabling them not to feel alone," says Philomena Finnegan, co-ordinator of the Border Counties Befriending Project. "The fact that the befriender calls regularly is a source of support to the recipient and has made a huge difference in their lives," she continues. The feedback to the scheme is very positive and some recent comments are as follows: • "Most of the time I'm sitting on my own at home so I look forward to the visit from my Befriender because it is great to have someone to talk to." • "I am very happy with the arrangement. I have neighbours calling to the house to see me, but it is not the same - I can have a different conversation with my Befriender. I know what we talk about goes no further." • "Years ago I was out and about but now I don't have many to talk to, other than family members who occasionally call. The fortnightly visit from my Befriender is a diversion and it's also an opportunity to get out of the house." • "Until now I couldn't talk to anyone about what we went through during the Troubles. It didn't seem safe or else nobody wanted to know. It's great that my Befriender understands." The service is completely free to the beneficiary. It is funded by the European Union's Peace III Programme. If you are interested in availing of this service or if you know someone who would benefit from it, please feel free to contact Philomena Finnegan, Border Counties Befriending Project, Main Street, Cavan, Co. Cavan. Phone 049-4372999 or email: bfriending@gmail.com