TAF runs an outreach advocacy and information service for older people who cannot travel to the Third Age Centre due to illness, frailty or lack of transport. In 2006, TAF ran a one-year pilot, where an outreach advocacy worker was available one day a week to visit the homes of clients who require assistance and advocacy in relation to rights and entitlements. The Outreach Advocacy developed as a follow-on to the TAF Resource Centre.

At TAF, we receive many referrals from other organisations and individuals including health centres, active retirement groups, public health nurses and community welfare officers, telling us about clients who would benefit from contact with our outreach advocacy service. The outreach advocacy service aims to support our clients to apply for entitlements and to be successful in securing these entitlements.

The pilot project confirmed the need for this service among housebound older people and showed that such a service makes a vital contribution to the lives of these people. Although TAF is no longer funded to provide the service, TAF continues to do so on an occassional basis, as the need for such a service is so great.

Resource Centre

The Resource Centre is located with the Third Age Centre, providing information on rights, entitlements, services, facilities, schemes, grants, educational and training opportunities, health, volunteering opportunities, contact details of organisations and agencies etc. All older people in the area are welcome to drop into the Resource Centre and browse through the information available. The service is increasingly used by other members of the community, particularly by non-Irish nationals who take part in the Failte Isteach programme.

The TAF project manager is available to explain to clients the process of applying for an entitlement or service. We are aware that many people abandon the process of applying for various schemes, services and entitlements, due to complexities in filling in forms, technical jargon, literacy issues or a disability, including for example, poor eye sight, poor manual dexterity or a hearing impairment. Therefore, when required, the TAF project manager provides assistance with filling in application forms and follows up on applications made by clients for various schemes. The Resource Centre worker also acts as an advocate for clients who applied for various grants, schemes and entitlements, on request or when necessary.