Moorenweis - The contact restrictions necessary to fight the corona pandemic hit all people hard, but also seniors in particular.
The neighborhood help Moorenweis has an idea.
Moorenweis - Since seniors belong to the risk group, they have to take special care.
Currently this means: being alone often and for a long time, not meeting anyone.
That can lead to loneliness.
Therefore, the neighborhood help (NBH) Moorenweis organized a worry phone.
The campaign is called
“I have time for you today” and starts on February 16.
NBH managing director Gerti Riedl-Steiniger explains exactly how it works.
What was the reason for the action?
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Gerti Riedl-Steininger managing director of the neighborhood aid Moorenweis
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With the beginning of the pandemic, our other club offers such as senior groups, senior gymnastics and fall prevention were discontinued.
In order to show people that we want to keep talking to them despite the lockdown, we thought about what we could offer Moorenweis as neighborhood help.
And how did the idea of the worry phone come about?
Others had the idea before us.
For example, the Grafrath neighborhood help has a comparable offer called “Telephone Angel”.
The Munich association Retla - read the other way around, the letters result in the word "age" - has telephone angels.
We want to follow the good example of these institutions.
How long does the promotion run?
Start is on February 16.
From this point on, our volunteers can be reached three times a week.
For now until the end of April.
If the offer is well received, it can be extended.
Who are the callers talking to then?
With volunteers from the neighborhood help.
I'll take over one day, two colleagues the other two days.
We take turns.
Have you been working together for a long time?
We have been working for many years in neighborhood help and also in other areas of the association, for example in the senior group team.
Because the senior group cannot take place at the moment, we are happy to be able to make an offer in this way.
Of course, we are all obliged to keep silent about the content of the talks.
How do you and your colleagues intend to help?
We want to get involved in the conversation and, above all, listen.
Maybe it's about answering questions.
But there are certainly also normal everyday conversations.
It will be decisive whether it is possible to build up an empathy for the caller and perhaps dispel sad thoughts and fears that the current situation brings with it with positive thoughts and encouraging conversations.
Successful conversations can again give perspectives and encourage courage.
Who can call
Everyone.
But of course we are primarily addressing the offer to older citizens.
What if a younger person feels addressed?
Then of course he is also cordially invited to call.
It can also be that younger people are sick or in quarantine and feel left alone.
Of course we have time for them as well.
The action
starts next Tuesday, February 16.
Interested parties can call (0 81 46) 78 79 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Interview: Paul Burgmeier