For over a year volunteers and staff that operate helplines for charitable organisations have been hearing from people who are struggling during the pandemic. "A lot of the issues that people would ring with, would stem from loneliness," according to Michael McDaid, who works as a volunteer with Alone's support line.
The charity, which provides support for older people, launched its National Support Line in February 2020 - a month before Covid-19 restrictions saw life in Ireland grind to a halt.
Since then Alone has received nearly 49,000 calls. Staff and volunteers at the organisation also make calls to people offering services such as support and befriending phone calls, check-in calls and return calls.