Galway Contact was founded in 1981 arising from a major drive to alleviate the loneliness of people living alone in Galway City.
An action programme was spearheaded by Galway Contact, a voluntary group set up by Galway Junior Chamber of Commerce and Galway Social Services Council, and followed on the research and work done in their Senior Citizens award-winning project.
The programme involved promoting awareness of loneliness that exists within communities and recruiting volunteers who would adopt an older person and visit them on an ongoing basis, building up a relationship of friendship and trust.
Galway Contact is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. It formed a Board of Directors and a Management Committee to oversee the work of the charity which is mainly carried out by a team of loyal volunteers.
We feel our organisation offers a unique and personable service to older people in our community. Studies have shown that social engagement and human contact are key contributors to good mental health and a long life span.
