My first experience of care in our Community was when I came to live here in the late 1990’s and I was invited to help look after Joanie, Eileen’s closest friend. Joanie was in the closing stage of her life and needed assistance with light personal care and simple meals. Caring for Joanie proved to be a delightful and rewarding experience with much unexpected fun and laughter for everyone in the team.

Following on from the Conscious Living, Conscious Dying Conference in the Universal Hall in 1998, the Alanna Group was formed with the aim of helping those community members needing end of life care. I was a founder member of this group and will always be grateful for the profound privilege this work proved to be as Alanna not only cared for community members, but hosted a number of Respite Weeks for small groups of vulnerable Irish women with life threatening illness.

The Alanna Group in 2006 merged with what we now know as the Community Care Circle (CCC).

Being a volunteer with the CCC offers me the chance to respond to a variety of requests such as transport to and from appointments, shopping, house and hospital visits, an occasional meal, assistance with odd jobs around the house, being a listening ear and being part of a team to support end of life care. I acknowledge and appreciate that most people already do many tasks for family and friends but it is helpful, particularly for those living on their own, to know that there is some other support available should they need it.

If you wish to experience life in all its fullness, community care offers a wealth of different opportunities, so do come and join us. An hour here and there can make a huge difference to someone. One day that someone could be you!

Judith Berry