ALONE (original) (raw)

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ALONE

ALONE is a charity organization in Ireland which was set-up to highlight the issues facing older people living alone. Founded in 1977 by Willie Bermingham,[1] the charity seeks to help elderly people living on their own who may feel isolated and lonely, and to "connect [them] with the necessary support services in their community".[2] The name ALONE in an acronym of the words "A Little Offering Never Ends".[3]

ALONE states that it "works with the 1 in 5 older people who are homeless, socially isolated, living in deprivation or in crisis".[4] The charity provides supportive housing, "befriending" services, community response and campaigning services to older people.[5]

Within Glasnevin Cemetery, the Alone Millenium Plot is used by the charity to bury older people who died without family or other provisions for burial.[6] In 2017 Alone celebrated its 40-year anniversary.[3]

In 1976, during a very cold spell that spanned a number of weeks, 8 older people were found dead in their Dublin homes.

Willie Bermingham (1942–90) – a Dublin fireman who discovered the remains of some of these people[7] – and a number of his friends, distributed posters to highlight that a section of over-60s in Dublin were suffering cold, hunger, loneliness, depression and illness and dying alone. These volunteers began to collect and distribute donations of food, fuel, clothing and furniture. They initiated a "search that building" campaign and sought to draw attention to the conditions in which some older people lived, in derelict city-centre buildings.[8]

ALONE's first housing complex was built in 1986 ("ALONE Walk" in Artane) and the second ("Willie Bermingham Place" in Kilmainham) was opened in 1990. Including these purpose built units, by the early 21st century, ALONE owned and maintained approximately 100 homes for elderly residents.[8]

2013 saw demand of ALONEs services triple over previous years.[9]

In August 2014, a charity single in aid of ALONE was released by Dublin Labour councillor Dermot Lacey. The song The Ballad of Rosie Hackett was written by Lacey to commemorate the opening of the Rosie Hackett Bridge.[10]

In 2014 and 2016, ALONE campaigns focused on the length of waiting lists for nursing home places,[11][12] and on the effects of austerity on older people.[13]

In 2017, ALONE celebrated its 40th anniversary and a book was launched to document its history.[14]

1. ^ "Alone marks 40 years aiding elderly through charitable work". Irish Times. 25 May 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
2. ^ "Government needs to listen to the organisations working on a day-to-day basis with older people". Alone.ie. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
3. ^ a b "The 40-year-old charity that ensures no-one dies alone and poor". Irish Examiner. 23 November 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
4. ^ "ALONE". Alone.ie. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
5. ^ "Essential websites for older people - Handicare Guide". Ageukmobility.co.uk. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
6. ^ "Charity for older people celebrates 35 years". The Journal. July 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
7. ^ "Tara Street fire station to be renamed after ALONE founder Willie Bermingham". The Journal. 16 January 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
8. ^ a b "Our History & Culture". Alone.ie. 2 April 2015. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
9. ^ "Trebling in referrals of isolated and lonely older people to housing charity". Irishexaminer.ie. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
10. ^ "ALONE charity single for elderly launched - Catholicireland.net". Catholicireland.net. 18 August 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
11. ^ "One News Web: ALONE criticises delays in Fair Deal scheme". Rte.ie. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
12. ^ Ryan, Órla. "Nursing home waiting lists are 'spiralling out of control'". Thejournal.ie. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
13. ^ "ALONE: Water charges will offset any Budget gains for older people". Irishexaminer.com. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
14. ^ "Valerie documents the history of ALONE". Independent News & Media. 18 November 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2018.

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