A Conversation with Irish Rural Link - Series 3

Irish Rural Link are inviting you to join them

In conversation with Séamus Boland, CEO Irish Rural Link and President of Group Three, European Economic and Social Council

As we discuss

“Rural Isolation”

On Thursday 26th November 2020 10am- 11am

Register here. 

Joining the discussion are:

Aisling Moroney– Policy Officer, Social Farming Ireland

TP O’ Gorman– Volunteer Coordinator, Men’s Shed

Finola Colgan- Development Officer Mental Health Ireland

Conor O’Leary- Development Officer, Muintir na Tire

Rural isolation is a major issue particularly among middle aged and older members of our communities. The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) estimates about 400,000 people in Ireland suffer from loneliness. Older people, people engaged in agriculture and people living alone in rural areas suffer higher levels of rural isolation than the general population. There is generally greater awareness now of people’s need to be connected with others and to their community and our panel will discuss some of the initiatives and supports that have emerged as successful interventions to reducing social isolation and loneliness in society.

Many organisations across the country fulfill a vital role, particularly for older people as a response to rural isolation but many of these service providers are struggling to meet the increased demands that COVID 19 has brought with it.  In this webinar we look at the measures that are required if we are to see an effective cross departmental, collaborative approach in addressing isolation during and post pandemic.