Anne Gill works for the HSE and runs Good Morning Inishowen, based in Buncrana. The service is a telephone link line for older people in the peninsula. The service is expanding and will soon be providing their service all over the county with offices in Gortahork and Donegal Town.
The Good Morning Service provides a daily or weekly telephone call to older people living in the community, and it is staffed by fully trained and vetted volunteers. The main aim of the call is to ensure that the older person is safe and well in their own home, answer any queries and provide up to date information
Anyone over the age of 65 who has a telephone can receive a call; just contact Anne or Joan at the Good Morning Office in Buncrana (074 93 21598). Calls are made each morning between 9:15am and 1pm. The service continues to welcome all new volunteers and anyone interested can also contact the office and speak with Anne or Joan, who will be delighted to hear from you.
What music do you like?
As Dana said, all kinds of everything. The music depends on the mood. I am listening to Meatloaf at the minute and reminiscing. What does that say about me?
What would you never throw away?
Photographs and items that remind me of something important. Meatloaf CD’s for example!
What book are you reading?
I’ve just finished Celia Ahern’s, Thanks for the Memories and I’ve just started reading Claire Allen’s new book, Feels Like Maybe. I read Eamonn Holmes’ autobiography recently too and really enjoyed that
What was your favourite childhood game?
Chinese ropes, French tig, playing in the river at the back of the ESB in the Picture Hall Field. The memories are just fantastic, always outdoors. We moved further away from the house as bedtime came and pretended we couldn’t hear our parents calling.
Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
The last film I saw was Sex and The City… typical woman! It was good for a laugh.
What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
For some crazy reason, property and jobs. I tend to avoid the sports pages.
What is your idea of a good night out?
Good friends, good food, good laugh, prompt taxi, next day off. As simple as that!
Most embarrassing moment of your life?
Arriving late for an interview to get on a course at Magee. When I was asked for my name, I couldn’t remember it. Just blank. The panel found it more amusing than I did.
Have you a favourite TV programme?
At the minute I am enjoying the Irish Apprentice. I prefer Sir Alan to Bill Cullen though, he’s more suave. I admit to being a Big Brother fan, it’s stress free viewing we can all watch in the house. Total chill out.
How do you relax?
That’s easy, shopping. Time with my nieces and nephews, walking Basil the dog and chatting with friend is also high on the list. I also go to meditation classes and have started an Irish language class this year too.
What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I wanted to work with older people. I attribute this to spending so much time with my granny. She was great craic and had lots of friends.
Where would you like to go for your holidays?
I spent a week in Glencolmcille Gaeltacht and really enjoyed that. I would like to go to Paris or Hawaii but generally spend most of my holidays in Galway or Mayo.
Your idea of heaven?
I worked weekends for years, so Saturday and Sunday off is heaven. A long lie in, a good book, a leisurely breakfast and meeting family and friends later.
Your idea of hell?
Not enjoying my job, not living in a town and not laughing…
What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Anthony Hopkins-to look at, but if he chatted, that would be a bonus. Bette Midler, she is a wonderful actress and singer. George Best would be easy to look at too.
Favourite animal?
My dog, Basil. He came from the Rainbow Re-homing Centre.
What couldn’t you live without?
My phone, family, car, friends, work….
Biggest thrill?
Achieving something I have been working on for a long time. I love to set flowers in spring and watch then develop.
Do you have a hobby?
I play cards regularly with friends, that’s always good fun.
Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
The 1920’s Great Gatsby era. Women were becoming more independent and the fashions were great. All those long beads, long cigarette holders and short skirts.
World’s most useful inventions?
The phone and the car. Both are invaluable to me.
What do you have for breakfast?
Wheaten bread or toast and a banana. Maybe cereal at the weekends.
What is the best/worst piece of advice you have been given?
All advice is good. It might not be the right advice at the time and you don’t have to take it on board, but it might be useful when it’s recalled later.
Personal philosophy?
Treat others as you would like to be treated and smile, it costs nothing….
The Good Morning Service provides a daily or weekly telephone call to older people living in the community, and it is staffed by fully trained and vetted volunteers. The main aim of the call is to ensure that the older person is safe and well in their own home, answer any queries and provide up to date information
Anyone over the age of 65 who has a telephone can receive a call; just contact Anne or Joan at the Good Morning Office in Buncrana (074 93 21598). Calls are made each morning between 9:15am and 1pm. The service continues to welcome all new volunteers and anyone interested can also contact the office and speak with Anne or Joan, who will be delighted to hear from you.
What music do you like?
As Dana said, all kinds of everything. The music depends on the mood. I am listening to Meatloaf at the minute and reminiscing. What does that say about me?
What would you never throw away?
Photographs and items that remind me of something important. Meatloaf CD’s for example!
What book are you reading?
I’ve just finished Celia Ahern’s, Thanks for the Memories and I’ve just started reading Claire Allen’s new book, Feels Like Maybe. I read Eamonn Holmes’ autobiography recently too and really enjoyed that
What was your favourite childhood game?
Chinese ropes, French tig, playing in the river at the back of the ESB in the Picture Hall Field. The memories are just fantastic, always outdoors. We moved further away from the house as bedtime came and pretended we couldn’t hear our parents calling.
Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
The last film I saw was Sex and The City… typical woman! It was good for a laugh.
What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
For some crazy reason, property and jobs. I tend to avoid the sports pages.
What is your idea of a good night out?
Good friends, good food, good laugh, prompt taxi, next day off. As simple as that!
Most embarrassing moment of your life?
Arriving late for an interview to get on a course at Magee. When I was asked for my name, I couldn’t remember it. Just blank. The panel found it more amusing than I did.
Have you a favourite TV programme?
At the minute I am enjoying the Irish Apprentice. I prefer Sir Alan to Bill Cullen though, he’s more suave. I admit to being a Big Brother fan, it’s stress free viewing we can all watch in the house. Total chill out.
How do you relax?
That’s easy, shopping. Time with my nieces and nephews, walking Basil the dog and chatting with friend is also high on the list. I also go to meditation classes and have started an Irish language class this year too.
What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I wanted to work with older people. I attribute this to spending so much time with my granny. She was great craic and had lots of friends.
Where would you like to go for your holidays?
I spent a week in Glencolmcille Gaeltacht and really enjoyed that. I would like to go to Paris or Hawaii but generally spend most of my holidays in Galway or Mayo.
Your idea of heaven?
I worked weekends for years, so Saturday and Sunday off is heaven. A long lie in, a good book, a leisurely breakfast and meeting family and friends later.
Your idea of hell?
Not enjoying my job, not living in a town and not laughing…
What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Anthony Hopkins-to look at, but if he chatted, that would be a bonus. Bette Midler, she is a wonderful actress and singer. George Best would be easy to look at too.
Favourite animal?
My dog, Basil. He came from the Rainbow Re-homing Centre.
What couldn’t you live without?
My phone, family, car, friends, work….
Biggest thrill?
Achieving something I have been working on for a long time. I love to set flowers in spring and watch then develop.
Do you have a hobby?
I play cards regularly with friends, that’s always good fun.
Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
The 1920’s Great Gatsby era. Women were becoming more independent and the fashions were great. All those long beads, long cigarette holders and short skirts.
World’s most useful inventions?
The phone and the car. Both are invaluable to me.
What do you have for breakfast?
Wheaten bread or toast and a banana. Maybe cereal at the weekends.
What is the best/worst piece of advice you have been given?
All advice is good. It might not be the right advice at the time and you don’t have to take it on board, but it might be useful when it’s recalled later.
Personal philosophy?
Treat others as you would like to be treated and smile, it costs nothing….
