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Kingdom Care volunteers, from left: Craig Coady, Kelly Ronan, Lily Kirby, Peter Tobin and Elizabeth Roche at the cafe/restaurant at the Mart buildings. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
FOR 10 years a community group has been reaching out to the elderly, giving peace of mind and companionship to them and their loved ones.
In February, Kingdom Care, celebrated its ten year anniversary helping in the community through their charity shops, home help and have recently taken over a cafe/restaurant.
Last November, the group opened a restaurant next to their shop in the Kingdom Mart buildings up at Mounthawk, where they have operated throughout their decade of caring.
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“It’s taken a lot of man-power to bring everything together here,” said founding member, Elizabeth Roche. “As we turn a profit, the money earned will go back in to expanding the service, the demand for which, is phenomenal,” she said.
Through the help of 28 volunteers, a total of 37 families are currently accessing their service. Kingdom Care, provide a top up to agencies such as HSE South who are overstretched as it is.
Kingdom Care strive to touch base with those who need their help at least three times a week, to check they don’t need medical assistance and have adequate food and heat. The plan is to expand the service to daily calls for those who seek assistance.
“Because of the breakdown of what they called long go ‘the street family’, a lot of older people are now living in desperate isolation,” said Elizabeth.
Recently, volunteers checked in on an elderly woman who had failed to contact a relative at a designated time. She was found in a collapsed state. After receiving medical assistance it transpired she had suffered a heart attack.
The woman is now recovering, she had been on her own for an hour, but for a simple phone call to Kingdom Care, that helping hand close by would not have been there.
“It’s very difficult for people living alone, but for carers as well so they have someone who can look after their loved one if they need to go out and do a simple thing like go to the post office or do a bit of shopping.”
A lively spot, the restaurant at the Mart, have their regulars that call everyday, with a mix of young and old coming through its doors for a bite to eat or even just a cup of tea and a chat.
An initiative the group is running throughout lent is asking the public to donate any unwanted items to the charity, anything from clothes to shampoo.
You can contact or have a look at Kingdom Care services here
Kingdom Care do amazing work for the community and have a dedicate dedicated who are always willing to listen and help.