Health concerns, and sorrow at not being able to attend family or close friends funerals, are two main issues raised by people befriended by the Leitrim Calling phone service in recent months.
The friendly confidential phone call service is free, and involves volunteers making phone calls on a regular basis to people in their homes, and helping them access services if necessary,
When the pandemic hit in March last year the service user base increased from 85 to 145, and the numbers have continued to increase.
Service co-ordinator Marion Quigley says the resilience shown by older people in coping with Covid restrictions is inspiring in many cases.
She says worries and concerns have changed as the restrictions change, but health issues, and the lack of ordinary funerals, are to the fore of many of their service user's minds.
Anyone who would like to find out more about the free service can call 087-958 5029.
