Keep Well - Keeping in Contact

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It’s so important to keep connected with family, friends and the local community at this time. If you find it hard to connect with someone reach out for support. Here are some numbers and sites which can help you to get more connected.  

How do you find out what’s going on in your locality?

The Kilkenny COVID19 Community Response Forum has a dedicated helpline to assist at risk members of the public in accessing non-emergency and non-medical supports and advice during the current public health emergency. The Covid Helpline hours are now extended and will operate from 8am to 8pm – 7 days a week.

Phone: 1800 326 522
Email: covidsupport@kilkennycoco.ie

Supports

It is very important that social contact is maintained with people who are isolated in their homes at this time, even if it's a friendly phone call. Even if you are not a formal volunteer, checking in via call or text with a vulnerable person in your locality can make a huge difference.

There are also a range of initiatives that people can avail of during this time:

• ALONE is providing a telephone support line, seven days a week from 8am – 8pm, for all older people, their families, and those who are medically vulnerable. If you need any advice, reassurance or additional support call them at: 0818 222024
• Gardaí – if you have any safety concerns, or need any essential items brought to you, contact the Gardaí, they will be more than happy to assist you or direct you to relevant services
• Third Age Ireland have a Seniorline which is a confidential listening service for older people, with trained volunteers. Freephone 1800 804591
• Friends of the Elderly also run a friendly call service for those who just need a chat. Its available free and nationwide. Call 01 8731855

Kilkenny Library Services offer a Press Reader:
Free e-Newspaper service helping people keep in contact with what’s happening nationally and globally https://www.kilkennylibrary.ie/eng/online-library/online-newspapers/

Door to Door Delivery Service
Library members in Kilkenny that are over 65 can avail of a personalised Door to Door delivery service around the County.

Library staff will phone to find out what you like reading/listening to or watching, and your pack of books/audiobooks/ DVD’s will be prepared and delivered to your door in our next round of deliveries in your area!

If you would like to avail of this service and/or join the library, phone your local library or ring library headquarters on 056 779 4160  or email info@kilkennylibrary.ie  See www.kilkennylibrary.ie  for more information .

Dial- A-Story                                                                  

This storyline for adults is an initiative of Kilkenny County Council Library Service . There are 10 stories. To hear a story, callers ring the free phone number 1800 300 309 and then press a number between 0 and 9.

The stories are by local authors including some from Loughboy Writers’ Group and Thomastown Writers’ Group, who met in their local library. The stories are read by library staff.                     

Press Reader– Free e-Newspaper service helping people keep in contact with what’s happening nationally and globally https://www.kilkennylibrary.ie/eng/online-library/online-newspapers/