Making Connections is a non-profit organisation working with the Irish Health Services and community groups to alleviate loneliness and isolation in the South Dublin Community. We joined forces with them as a way of saying Thank You to Dublin’s South Side, where Glenard has successfully operated for the past 5 decades. Last Christmas during the term break a team of 8 students volunteered with Making Connections and gave a week of their time to support a family in need. Our mission was clear- we needed to help salvage a house that was home to 3 generations of a family inundated with chronic health issues and long term unemployment. We scrubbed, cleaned, disinfected, de-cluttered, fumigated and painted their house where living conditions were a health hazard. The family – who were really finding it difficult to cope – was referred to Making Connections by the local public health nurse.
Many hands make light work, and in a short period of 6 days the team of volunteers made a huge impact. In fact it was difficult to believe the amount we achieved in such a short space of time. We were exhausted by the end of it but amazed at the difference we made to the house, and especially to the family living there.