Annual Report 2023

Sadly, John Monahan one of our founder members and one of our directors passed away in August.  John was very active and supportive in our early years and was an active teacher in our Failte Isteach classes.  He started and was responsible for many lively debates at our committee meetings. 

The new Governance code continues to be a subject we have to be constantly looking at for changes in the government’s requirements for charities. 

Trishaw had a relatively busy year especially considering we had just emerged from Covid.  We had fliers printed and Winifred Flood (volunteer) agreed to help promote the service, which she did with great enthusiasm and commitment. We not only took older people we also took clients from the Order of Malta and the St John Of Gods Darro Centre.  The trishaw was also used to help the Easter Bunny distribute Easter eggs around Moneymore and went in the Patrick Days parade. 

After spending 5 years with us Geraldine retired. Her replacement Fiona started in November 2022.

Positive Ageing Week. The Mass and tea dance went very well. First time the tea dance was held in the D Hotel. Good feedback on the food, venue and entertainment.

We surprised 150 people with Easter gifts, eggs, and daffodils. 

We also surprised another 150 people at Christmas time with a cuddly hot water bottle, a torch, Xmas decoration, mince pies, chocolates, biscuits and a Cyclamen plant.

We gave talks to the Active retirement group in Julianstown, the ICA in Bettystown and Michael Clarke & Christie Faulkner gave a talk to the congregation at the Presbyterian Church, Colp East, Drogheda, Co. Meath. 

April 20 –We attended the Age Friendly Conference at the Crown Plaza in Dundalk.

Monday Morning Club continues to be highly successful as does the Crochet club. Congratulations to Vera for her continuous involvement and organisation.

Mary Deery retired from her position in Louth County Council. Mary was a great supporter of our organisation and did a lot to promote us in every way possible. We hope to have an equally good relationship with Sinead McFerry her replacement. 

The Garda Xmas Party was re-introduced this year, It was held upstairs in the Valley Inn. A lot of our clients attended.

Damian Murphy was honoured with “Volunteer of the year “award by Louth PPN at a special dinner and award ceremony in Castle Bellingham.

Older people’s forum was reestablished. Paulette McArdle is representing us on the committee.

Fund Raising: This was the first full year after Covid that we were able to have 2 flag day collections, one church day collection and the Carol singing.

Care and Repair: Difficult year with just Anthony & David doing most of the work. They completed 424 jobs an increase of 36 % compared to 2021. Once again 75% of the jobs were gardening. Davids’s year with us finished in September.  51 Handrails and stair rails jobs were completed. A majority for the HSE.

Good Morning Drogheda:  we made 140 calls per day for 180 people, this volume has increased since the pandemic. Some of our volunteers are still phoning from their homes but the majority are back phoning from the office.  Our plan is to have a third station here in the office. 

Befriending – Rather more difficult since the pandemic, people more reluctant to mix with each other especially in their homes. We made 18 successful matches.

The Office. Continues to be very busy, we have a total of 1,600 clients (excluding the 700 availing of our Greenhills operation) registered in our computer system of which 689 used our services in 2022.  High utility bills, the fair deal application process, public service cards, pensions, housing adaption grants were some of people’s main concerns. 

Panic Buttons. Big increase in the number of people requesting panic buttons. We organised 136 in 2022 compared to 99 in 2021.

Failte Isteach.  Numbers were down compared to previous years despite having some refugees from Syria and Ukraine who only stayed for a few weeks.  Distribution Centre – Very busy with approximately 750 service users, we also store and distribute OT equipment (i.e., commodes, walkers, raised toilet seats, etc) from our warehouse.  We have 2 new volunteers specifically to help out Tony with administration duties.

Volunteers Christmas Party – was held upstairs in the Punt Bar.  This was our first get-together since the beginning of the Pandemic.