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HistoryFriends of the Elderly was founded in 1980, and is a member of an international federation of charities working to alleviate poverty, social isolation and loneliness amongst older people.
The International Federation of Little Brothers of the Poor (Fédération Internationale des petits frères des Pauvres), was founded in 1979 and now includes a network of charities working throughout France, Spain, Germany, Mexico, USA, Canada, Poland, Switzerland and Ireland.
The foundation of ‘Friends of the Elderly’ in Ireland was inspired by work of the charitable organisation ‘les petits frères des Pauvres’ (‘Little Brothers of the Poor’) in France. The ‘petits frères’ were founded in 1946 by Armand Marquiset, a French nobleman, who began working in improverished neighbourhoods in Paris, dedicating his life and his fortune to the service of the poor.
In the aftermath of World War II, Armand Marquiset became acutely aware of the plight of the elderly in France. Many had lost their families, their homes and their livelihood and had nowhere to turn. Armand carried meals that he cooked himself up six flights of stairs to attic rooms where so many lonely and forgotten elderly persons lived, no longer able, physically or financially, to look after themselves. He began ‘Little Brothers of the Poor’ to care for these people and believed that “the greatest poverty is the poverty of love”. Armand Marquiset retired to Ireland in 1973. He died on the 14th of July 1981 in Burtonport, Ireland and is buried on Cruit Island, Co. Donegal.
For almost 30 years, Friends of the Elderly has been working to alleviate loneliness and isolation amongst older people because we believe in the dignity of every human being. We believe in supporting lonely and isolated persons, offering them the assistance and encouragement they need to remain independent and to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. We think that providing the essentials in life is necessary, but even more important is the loving support of friends.
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Friends of the Elderly WeekVolunteersEntertaining the ElderlySend a Friendship Card To Your Elderly FriendNight at the RacesSenior Citizens Darts League Friends of the Elderly are setting up a Senior Citizens Darts League in Dublin. If you are a senior citizen and would like to join a darts team, give us a call. |
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If you have questions or comments you can contact us at:
Phone: (01) 873 1855 * Fax: (01) 873 1617
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