"The psychological journey of migration takes far longer than the geographical one" Fr' Bobby Gilmor

1
In the 1950s 50,000 people a year left the
Republic of Ireland. The rate of emigration
outstripped the birthrate. 80 of these went
to Britain.
2
in 1961 the Irish Governments Education budget
was 14 million. That year alone, emigrants
sent home 13.5 million in remittances.
3
The psychological journey of migration takes far
longer than the geographical one Fr Bobby
Gilmore, IC
4

• There are approximately 44,530 older Irish people
  in London today
• There is no other ethnic group in London with a
  higher age profile

5
16 of older Irish people live alone
6
The Irish population is the ethnic group with the
highest levels of people not in good health -
47 of older women have a long term illness and
48 for older men
7
Up to 15 of older Irish people suffer from
depression The Irish have the highest rates of
suicide in Britain
8
A lot of older Irish people are falling through
the net and finding themselves isolated and
forgotten. Reaching these people is very
challenging but I believe these are the people
who should always be the priority of the Irish
Chaplaincy. (Fr Nigel Charles, Project
Co-ordinator)
9
Bredas story Breda was in her early 80s when
she was taken ill and admitted to hospital and
afterwards to a nursing home, where she spent the
best part of a year. The Irish Chaplaincy worker
visited her every single week, bringing the Irish
Independent newspaper on each visit and was the
only other visitor Breda had during that long
year.
10
Bredas last wish was to go back to her native
Cork to live out the short time she had left. The
Irish Chaplaincy played a major part in arranging
the transfer home. At this stage Breda was
immobile but she finally made it back to Cork
where he was admitted to a nursing home. 
11
Sadly, Breda passed away last August. Without the
help of the Irish Chaplaincy, I can, without
doubt, say that Breda would have died here lonely
and unhappy in London. (Christine Banks,
referrer)
12
I believe that through our visits and when
people receive our newsletter, cards and phone
calls they will realise that they are still
valued and appreciated Fr Nigel Charles, Project
Co-ordinator
13
Impact report findings
14
If I was young I would return to
Ireland Nearly half of our clients (47) do
not feel that London is a good place to live in
anymore
15
My brother from North London used to help, but
lately he has not come In times of trouble 30
of our clients reported that they have no-one to
call for help
16
57 of our clients do not receive any weekly
visitors to their home (besides our worker)
I get out to the day centre, but I spend every
weekend alone
17
Except for meeting a few men at mass, most of my
friends have gone
37 of our clients no longer feel part of the
Irish community in London
18
An overwhelming majority of our referrers (96)
confirmed that loneliness and isolation are real
issues for older Irish people in London
The Ireland they built in the UK is gone. They
dont feel they belong anywhere now
19
We are confident that the original objective of
the project to prevent and alleviate social
isolation and loneliness among older Irish people
in London is still a valid and legitimate mission
for the Irish Chaplaincy in London.
20
84 of the Irish population defines themselves as
Christian Many older Irish people therefore want
to access services that are Church related
21
Its great to have a visit from somebody in the
afternoon, It breaks the silence of here
22
I look forward to Stafford coming to see me. I
hope he will be always coming to see me 90 of
our service users felt we listened very well to
what they had to say.
23
94 of our service users described our service as
good or excellent
I would like a visit from the Chaplaincy more
often
24
88 of our referrers describe their experience of
our referral process as good or excellent.
I cannot emphasise strongly enough how wonderful
the Irish Chaplaincy is in the support and
understanding it offers to the elderly, who just
want to see a smiling face and a warm heart.
25
Prayer for Old Age May the light of your soul
mind you. May all the worry and anxiousness about
your age Be transfigured. May you be given
wisdom for the eyes of your soul To see this as a
time of gracious harvesting. May you have the
passion to heal what has hurt you, And allow it
to come closer and become one with you. May you
have great dignity, And a sense of how free you
are, Above all, may you be given the wonderful
gift Of meeting the eternal light that is within
you. May you be blessed by God, And may you find
a wonderful love In your self for your
self. (Adapted from Benedictus A Book of
Blessings, by John ODonohue, published by
Transworld Publishers, 2007) Slideshow music
May the Road Rise to meet You from the Album
Songs of Blessings reproduced here by kind
permission of the Northumbria Community Trust
www.northumbriacommunity.org