Kilkenny & Carlow Contact

Kilkenny & Carlow Contact is a befriending service for older people living alone in the area. Recognising that living alone, particularly in a rural area, can be very isolating and lonely, the group offers comfort and support and was described by one user of the service as bringing a little light into her life. The library will give users another shared interest and talking point and will help in the fight against loneliness.

Eleanor Doyle, Coordinator at the Kilkenny & Carlow Contact said, “Being able to offer reading materials to elderly people as part of our befriending contact service, especially those who are housebound and may not have direct access to libraries or bookshops, is going to be a fantastic addition to our existing resources. Reading is a real way to battle loneliness and books can make great conversation starters. We are so grateful to have been selected as recipients.”

Speaking about Donate a Library and in recognition of the work of Kilkenny & Carlow Contact, Claire Smith from Bord Gáis Energy said, “Rural isolation and the loneliness experienced by those living alone is something that’s been well documented of late. This service and the volunteers that carry out its work have to be applauded for the comfort they bring to people’s lives. We’re delighted to be able to help in some small way with this library donation.”