The Emerald Centre launched the “ Shine a Light " outreach support project, in April 2020 providing befriending and essential services to Irish elderly vulnerable members, having to shield during the Covid pandemic. Initially funded by the Irish Government Emmigrant Support Program (ESP), the project mobilised volunteering support from the partner organisations, i.e.  Leicester and Leicestershire Irish Forum, GATE, Irish Studies Workshop, Comhaltas, Irish Language Group and the GAA to deliver services which included:

Befriending: frequent phone calls and door step home visits to reduce isolation and loneliness

Weekly Food Parcels for those who are too frail or cannot go out due to shielding

Collecting and delivering medicine.

Exercise sheets and keep fit videos in hard copies as well online

Activity bags to include arts and crafts, sewing, knitting, puzzles, quizzes, books and music CDs

Encouraging Digital Inclusion through providing computer tablets for people to access Zoom and other social media platforms

Support with Bereavement/Funeral Service

Newsletters keeping isolated people connected

The project has been firmly established as an on-going service and includes an Outreach Intensive Support Service.

Late Life’s Wishes is an additional support service has been developed to help member arrange their personal affairs as they enter either residential care or are living independently. This service provides one-to-one support to individuals who wish to locate family members, record their life stories for archiving and arrange their final resting place either in the UK or back home in Ireland.

The above services continue to be supported by ESP funding, whilst attracting funding from alternative  including, The National Lottery, Power to Change, Leicester City Council and Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Community Development Foundation expanding its reach to members from the wider and BAME communities across Leicester and Leicestershire.