ALONE was founded in 1977 by a Dublin fireman, Willie Bermingham. Since then we have been working to better the quality of life of older people in our city. Over the years ALONE has witnessed much to celebrate. Advances in health care and improved social services help older people to stay healthier for longer. However, as times change the challenges that face older people change too. ALONE is committed to continuing to work at the forefront of services for older people, inspired by the same vision and energy that drove Willie Bermingham into action more than 30 years ago.

Download: ALONE Strategic Plan

Download: ALONE About us Information Sheet

Mission Statement

ALONE works with vulnerable older people, providing long term housing, a befriending service and supports in the community

Vision

ALONE looks forward to an age-friendly society where older people are never isolated but are included as valued and empowered members of the community.

Older people in the 21st Century can remain isolated and fearful in a society where many of us have no meaningful contact with our next-door neighbours. In today’s speedy and aggressive world older people find it more difficult than ever to get out and socialise or to find avenues through which they can pursue their interests and realise their full potential. The fact is that older people still face prejudice and their contribution to society may never have been as little valued as it is today.

Principles

- We encourage everyone to support and value older people

- Volunteerism is at the heart of what we do

- We aim to be professional in attitude and in our services

- We house and support vulnerable older people while ensuring diversity

- We take a rights-based approach because we believe older people should not be dependent on charity

- Older people have a right to age at home (when at all possible) in safety and security

- While we have received state funding for buildings we value our independence. Our day-to-day activities are funded by unsolicited donations from members of the public who share our vision

- We adapt to meet the changing needs of older people

- We are non-denominational

Values

Partnership
Our closest partners are the people we serve. ALONE listens to our service users and works with them to support them in ways that meet their needs and maximise their independence. We work closely with a wide range of services, both statutory and voluntary. We realise that through sharing our resources with others who share our goals we can achieve the best possible results for our service users.

Innovation
ALONE is committed to a process of continuous improvement of our operations to ensure that we remain at the forefront of meeting the changing needs of our service users. Just as Willie Bermingham and his friends did what needed to be done in 1977 to help the vulnerable older people of Dublin, so ALONE in the 21st century will continue to learn, train and adapt, to continue being there for those who need us when they need us.

Dignity and respect for the individual
ALONE believes that every citizen’s dignity and human rights should be honoured: We work hard to ensure that this is the case for older people in our society. When we meet our service users we do so with an open attitude and a readiness to learn. We listen to our service users as equals so that we can grow to understand the world from their perspective. We know that only then can we begin to be effective in offering them the help they need.

Accountability
Due to the hard work and dedication of the volunteers that have gone before us, ALONE benefits from an excellent reputation in our community. With this position comes gratitude and a responsibility to maintain the level of care and personal service for which we have become known and trusted. We have a responsibility to our service users, to our many generous donors, and to our society at large. ALONE is committed to continuing to carry out its work in a transparent and professional manner that ensures that this remains the case.

Companionship
ALONE staff and volunteers work as a team of individuals to support and visit service users and meet their individual needs. Through meeting the diverse needs of individuals we learn how society can better serve older people in general. These trained volunteers befriend and support older people in the community, and provide them with crucial companionship.

Non-judgemental
We listen carefully to everyone that we work with, in a professional and non-judgemental manner, to ensure that they get the service that they need in a manner appropriate to their circumstances. There are no blanket solutions or ‘packages’ that can meet the needs of all older people.