The Nestling Project is based in Dundalk, with the catchment area radiating approximately two miles from the development centre at Barrack Street. In this catchment area the service brokers help older people access a broad array of health, social, welfare and voluntary supports. Form filling, understanding the language content and information gathering are huge stumbling blocks for older people accessing services. The service brokers outline entitlements to the older person for welfare benefits, grant aids, alarms, etc.. The brokers support or assist the older person in their home with all the above.

Other Services include:

Home Visits

The “Cúltaca” are primarily advocates providing a befriending service. We aim to listen to the concerns, needs and wants of the older person.  We empower them to take control of decision making in their lives and support them in their choices.  Pat Kerins and Ann Marron visit many people in their homes and work with them to meet their needs.  Trusting relationships are built, access to services facilitated and health and social wellbeing improved.  Many have requested weekly visits and these are provided by over 20 volunteers in the Dundalk area.  Sometimes the visit incorporates tasks like hovering, ironing or shopping while chatting with the older person.  Familiar faces are always welcome and the volunteers encourage the people to engage with the Nestling clubs or day trips.

Social Care degree students from Dundalk Institute of Technology do work placement with The Nestling Project and visit people in their homes for one hour a week for twelve weeks before Christmas.  Older people look forward to having the students as they feel they are helping with their education and love the intergenerational aspect thereof.  The students are encouraged to engage the older people in activities inside and outside the home which they would like to do e.g. visiting friends in residential units, browse shopping, attending football matches and going out for a spin in the car.

Volunteers

We registered in 2009 with the Drogheda Volunteer Services for Co Louth. All wishing to volunteer meet with Pat Kerins and Ann Marron where the Nestling concept of supporting older people in the community is explained, and a C.V. 2 references and Garda clearance is sought.

Currently 22 volunteers visit older people who are lonely or isolated for one to three hours a week. The emphasis is on listening to the person and chatting with them. Some like to incorporate a task with the visit.  7 volunteers assist with the men and women’s weekly clubs.

If you would like to take part in the Nestling Project as a volunteer please click Volunteer

or

phone Ann Marron @ 042 9391078 or Pat Kerrins @ 042 9370531.

Connecting with Community Groups

The “Cúltaca” organise day trips every 6-7 weeks to a variety of hotels in Louth and Monaghan.  All those who attend the groups, or are visited in their homes by Pat, Ann and volunteers, and friends are invited to participate.  The day trip includes a 4 course dinner followed by musical entertainment where many sing and dance. Afternoon tea wraps up the social gathering and many old acquaintances have been renewed at these events.  Promoting social inclusion is important and members from The Peninsula Day Care Centre and St. Gerard’s Club with residents from St. Oliver Plunkett Hospital, Castleross Retirement Village and Moorehall Lodge residents have shared in the fun days out.  We hope to connect with a wider range of people in residential care in the future.

If your group is interested in meeting up with ours please click form.

Independent Volunteer Advocates for St. Oliver Plunkett Hospital, Dundalk.

Pat Kerins and Ann Marron had ongoing interactions with St. Oliver Plunkett Hospital in an attempt to encourage residents to join with groups from the community and other extended care facilities in Co.Louth for social days out every six weeks.  Our weekly visits encouraged a few residents to join with us and meet with friends, enjoy dinner and afternoon entertainment in local hotels.  Kay O'Keeffe, Director of Nursing Services invited Pat and Ann to become independant volunteer advocates for the residents. N.A.P.A. provided a Fetac Level 6 Advocacy training programme which both have successfully completed to support their role.  Weekly visits in a befriending capacity have helped Pat and Ann get to know the residents, their families and the staff.

Service brokerage is introduced to the Nestling project to strengthen capacity to provide information to older people. “Cúltaca” is the Irish name for the service brokers meaning a strong support or backup.

Pat Kerins and Ann Marron, the two service brokers attended a training programme in Trynwalden, Holland with a view to gaining insight into an alternative model of support for older people. This model placed the older person at the centre of decision making. The older person’s needs and wishes were listened to, relevant information shared and an action plan agreed with follow up of service delivery.

The service brokers promote and develop a person centred approach to care to ensure the wants and needs of the older person take priority over standard service delivery.

Service brokers act as a liaison between the statutory and non statutory services and the older person, and in doing so break down some of the barriers that are regularly encountered. Having developed a trusting relationship with the older person the broker follows through to ensure that all entitlements are availed of. The brokers maintain an ongoing relationship with all service providers thus promoting improved communications. The brokers are developing the community network to benefit the older person. Voluntary supports are encouraged and promoted.

Through the Nestling project it is hoped that in the future services will be easily accessible to the older person through the service broker (Cúltaca) as a single point of contact. Older peoples’ specific and unique needs will be easily identified and sourced. The voice of the older person will be heard and acted upon.

The Pilot Women's Cookery Group

Some women, whom the Cultaca visited in their homes expressed an interest in joining a women’s group.  A problem arose as all existing local groups had a limited number of attendees and some had a waiting list.  All existing groups close for 3 months in the Summer to give the volunteers a break.  To meet the deficit and assess demand Nestling set up a pilot project for June, July and August 2009.  A chef and a volunteer prepared and cooked an array of dishes ranging from savoury to sweet.  Those attending the O’Fiach College on the day sampled the food and were given copies of the recipes.  Guest speakers attended each week to share information on services in Dundalk.  Examples include;  Hand massage,  Library Services, Bee Keeping, Reflexology, Flower arranging,  Facial Make up,  Healthy Lifestyles, Tai Chi,  Fire safety and organic gardening.  18 women attended at various times over the 10 weeks.  Suggestions for activities from the women include playing cards and painting.

Activities include:

• Men's Social Group.
• Women's Social Club.
• Volunteers.
• Home Visitation.
• Day Trips - every 6 weeks.
• Computer Classes.
• Shopping Trips.
• Assisted Visits to Nursing Homes.

Men's Social Group's - The Seagull Club

A group of 18 men meet weekly in Aiken Barrack, Point Road, Dundalk.  A smaller group meet every Saturday afternoon in Líos na Dara, Carrick Road. A further group meet in The Parlour of the The Great Northern Haven every Tuesday afternoon. They all enjoy getting out of the house and chatting with other men who share similar interests. Topics range from past experiences, to past employments, to lifestyles, to hobbies and to the current state of the nation. Tea or coffee and a snack are provided by the Volunteer's. The men have enjoyed with interest the history tour of the Aiken Barracks museum, while sharing their own experiences with current army personnel who have recently served abroad.  Two guided tours of the Dundalk Museum brought back a raft of memories of days gone by in Dundalk. Guest speakers share information on a wide range of services in the Dundalk area.  Other topics which they really enjoyed includedJean Cosgrove on bee keeping, fire safety in the home, healthy lifestyles,Tai Ch  and two presentations by Jim Martin, taxidermist.

Women’s Social Club

Two groups of women meet every week on Wednesday or Thursday mornings in Lios na Dara, Dundalk, for two hours of social interaction. Volunteers welcome the women with tea and cakes. The emphasis this year is on group activities which promote improved health and social wellbeing.  To date the activities included Tai Chi for six weeks followed by Line dancing for eight weeks with healthy lifestyle presentations and meditation interspersed occasionally. The line dancing has been so successful that on a recent outing involving seventy older people the group demonstrated their expertise to rapturous applause.  To encourage older people to engage with technologies blood pressure recording equipment was introduced.  The group on Wednesday were surveyed before using the equipment and again afterwards.  Each person learned how to take, read and record a blood pressure. Education was provided on factors such as diet and exercise which promote wellbeing.  Most women look forward to the monitoring and personal recording of details each week.  It has been a huge success.  We have video recorded one session which was great fun.  Vera Browne, a "Go for Life" pal has introduced a walking and "chair fit" programme.  Currently, Agatha, an Italian chef has volunteered to cook Italian dishes each week in August, on Wednesday's, and this proving very successful and was requested by members of the group after the fun of last years cookery demonstrations by Gary and Ali Coyle.

Volunteers

Advertising locally for volunteers to assist in community building with The Nestling Project commenced a year ago. Earlier in 2009 we registered with the Drogheda Volunteer Services. All wishing to volunteer meet with Pat Kerins and Ann Marron. The Nestling concept of supporting older people in the community is explained, and a C.V. 2 references and Garda clearance is sought.

Currently 11 volunteers visit older people who are lonely or isolated for one to three hours a week. The emphasis is on listening to the person and chatting with them. Some like to incorporate a task with the visit.

5 other volunteers assist with the women’s weekly group. Two chefs prepare and cook the food and three women rotate weekly and assist with the refreshments.

1 volunteer assists with the weekly men’s group.

1 volunteer provides the music and singing on the Day Trips.

We are awaiting Garda clearance on 6 volunteers at present.

To develop communications with existing community groups we have shared a volunteer with a club who were having difficulty getting younger people involved. The intergenerational aspect is welcomed by all.

Home Visitation

There are currently eleven volunteers visiting older people in their homes through the Nestling project. Feedback from both clients and volunteers is very positive to date. One elderly gentleman, supported by his volunteer was reunited after four years with some of his former football team members in the local GAA clubrooms. He thoroughly enjoyed catching up on all the news, and reliving their glorious sporting victories. He hopes to keep in contact more frequently.

One elderly lady loves animals and had a dog until recently. She was thrilled when her volunteer brought her own dog along on a recent home visit. Another volunteer drives her lady to the hairdresser each week.

Day Trips

List of day trips since Christmas 2008

19/8/09 Darver Castle, Ardee 28 attended

30/6/09 Carlingford Day Care Centre. 16 attended

26/5/09 Dundalk County Library 15 attended

28/4/09 Annagassan 16 attended

24/3/09 Carlingford 16 attended

21/1/09 Carlingford 9 attended

13/1/09 Aiken Army Barracks Muesum 11 attended

11/12/08 Sports Bowl Dundalk 10 attended

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Sports Fest - 2nd December 2009.

The Louth Local Sports Partnership and The HSE NE Health Promotion Department invited The Seagull Club members to an end of year Sports Fest held in Ardee Parish Centre on Wednesday 2^nd December 2009. People from all over the region participated in a variety of different sports and physical activities. Examples of such activities included Kurling, Boccia, Line Dancing and Go for Life Activities. This proved a great opportunity for older adults to share ideas for future activities among their individual groups.

16 members and 2 volunteers from The Seagull Club attended and actively participated. The women from the Seagull Club booked a “Go for Life” line dancing tutor to train the group for the first six weeks of 2010. The 70 who attended were welcomed with tea and biscuits and the light lunch of tea/coffee, soup and sandwiches was enjoyed by all.

Darver Castle Ardee on 19 August 2009.

28 attended which included 9 men’s group, 10 woman’s cookery group and 9 availing of home visits from volunteers and service brokers.

The location for the day trip was considered and enquiries made with different venues. Cost was one factor as many people survive on the pension and arrangements were made with Darver Castle management. Special group offer of €15 per person was agreed. This included a three course meal. Access was another important factor as a number were using walking aids.

All older people attending were given written invitations in advance and attendance was confirmed by phone. Transport was organized with Sevens taxi’s costing €80 and augmented by the Garda Community transport van. Persons with the highest dependency were transported by car. Pick up locations were identified taking into account mobility difficulties with some of those attending. Music and song was organized and provided by Pat Power in a voluntary capacity and several of those attending sang a few songs. One of the group celebrated his birthday and a cake was purchased in advance without his knowledge.

Day Trip to Annagassan, Co. Louth - The Seagull Club and The Peninsula Club, 28 April 2009.

50 members from the Peninsula Club and 16 members from The Seagull Club met socially in The Glyde Inn, Annagassan, for a delicious lunch and afternoon tea. Music was provided by Pat Power and many danced the afternoon away. 10 raffle prizes were won. Many chats and discussions took place over the course of the afternoon. The very comfortable venue had breathtaking views of Dundalk Bay and the Cooley Peninsula. Many strolled out onto the decking for a better view and enjoyed the fresh sea breeze. Afternoon tea and sandwiches were served at 4pm. A wonderful day was had by all.

Connecting community groups - 24th March 2009.

The men’s group, “The Seagull Club”, who meet weekly in Aiken Barrack, Dundalk, and several women who enjoy home visits, were invited to join with the “Peninsula Day Care” senior citizens group in Carlingford on the 24th March 2009.

The 9 men and 7 women were warmly welcomed by Maura Delaney and the volunteers who facilitate the social gathering every Tuesday. Both groups enjoyed the chat and renewed old friendships. There was great interaction between both groups. Dinner was provided followed by profiteroles, tea / coffee. Three members celebrated their birthdays by blowing out the candles on a delicious cake, shared among all. Bingo commenced followed by music and dancing provided by Pat Power and a local singer. Afternoon tea and pastries completed a most enjoyable afternoon. A group of men went walking about Carlingford.

Lunch in Carlingford - 21st January 2009.

On the 21 January 2009, the third year Social Care students from Dundalk Institute of Technology, Andrea Foley and Tania Murray organised a trip to Carlingford for nine senior citizens. As part of their eight week community placement with The Nestling Project both students planned, organised, and followed through on a day trip in the Cooley peninsula. Those who enjoyed the trip included members of the men’s social weekly group and others whom the students visited weekly in their homes over the past seven weeks. The students, over time, have built up an excellent rapport and friendship with the older people and organised a light lunch in the Four Seasons Hotel. Conversation flowed and a wide range of topics were discussed on the journey and over lunch. Old acquaintances were renewed and friendships rekindled. The Garda community minibus was used for the scenic trip.

The Group included Andrea Foley and Tania Murray, 3rd. year Social Care students in Dundalk Institute of Technology and Dundalk folk, Pat and Maura Mulgrew, Hugh Riddell, Sean Kettle, Thomas Murphy, Maureen Connolly, Margaret Connolly, Evelyn Crosson and Kitty Brickell.

Visit to the Aiken Barrack Museum - 13th January 2009.

On the 13 January 2009, the gentlemen who attend the men’s weekly social group, through The Nestling Project, were treated to a tour of the museum in Aiken Barrack, Point Road, Dundalk. Sergeant Riccardo Luchessi, facilitated the tour and shared his vast information with the very interested group. Experiences and knowledge gained from active service in the past were shared with all. Huge interest was shown in the guns and rifles on display. Among other items on show the old maps lead to many interesting reminiscences.

The Christmas Dinner, 2008.

The Nestling Project builds local community.

A group of local men meet socially every week since August 2008 in Aiken Barrack, Dundalk. Their Christmas dinner was held in the Sportsbowl, Racecourse Road, Dundalk, on 11 December 2008. The eight men and two of their wives were welcomed by staff with tea / coffee. Festive fayre of soup, turkey and ham followed by Christmas pudding and cream was enjoyed by all. A wide variety of topics were discussed. David Nail took a selection of photographs around the Christmas tree. Everyone enjoyed the craic, the company and the food. Those who generously facilitate the group meetings also enjoyed the afternoon.

Sergeant Riccardo Lucchesi - Army group facilitator

Sergeant Paddy Smith - Army group facilitator

Andrea Foley - Social Care Student, D.K.I.T.

Tommy Burke - Taxi driver

Pat Kerins - Service Broker, Nestling Project

Ann Marron - Service Broker, Nestling Project

Social Group

Louis Leech, Pat and Maura Mulgrew, Hugh Riddell, Sean Kettle, Tommy Watters, Nat and Catherine Adams, Thomas Murphy and David Nail.

Photographs in the Argus, 2 January 2009.