Contact(s)
We're now recruiting participants for the Lonely No More Program! If you are interested in participating in weekly over-the-phone chats with a group of other North Perth seniors, please contact Sarah at 519-292-6862 or sarah@gatewayruralhealth.ca.
About the Program
Participant Testimonial: "I hope that Lonely No More keeps making some more programs because of how important they are. Lots of seniors are very lonely. Friends and close family members start passing away. Not as many chances to make friends... It's harder for older adults to ask for help." - North Perth Storytelling Club Member
The Municipality of North Perth and Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health have partnered to launched Gateway's Lonely No More Program in North Perth. Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health, who is sharing their evidence-based Lonely No More program model and promoting this pilot in North Perth, is supported by the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund and Community Foundations of Canada to facilitate this inter-municipal project.
The Gateway Centre of Excellence initially launched the Lonely No More program in 2018 in Huron County to provide a free weekly phone-based program for isolated rural seniors.
These calls are facilitated by trained community members to facilitate peer support, coaching conversations and system navigation assistance. Older adults who are a part of the program report increased social connection as well as strengthening and expanding their support networks. Participants are also encouraged to identify and engage in healthy behaviours.
Lonely No More peer volunteers are empowered to be advocates in their community for isolated and at-risk older adults while also being able to address and confront facts that may cause isolation. Since the program’s inception, program feedback shows 75% of participants and volunteers report the program had a positive impact on their life.
With this expansion, we are recruiting additional community members as volunteers for the North Perth Lonely No More Program. In addition, to further build resiliency within the community and inspire dialogues aimed at reducing the social isolation experienced by at-risk community members, Gateway is also providing free educational opportunities (e-learning course and webinars) to community members who are interested in learning more about peer support, coaching conversations and system navigation.
If you are interested in being a volunteer or participant for the Lonely No More Program, please contact Sarah at 519-292-6862, for more details. Interested volunteers can also use the links below to register for the required training.
Online Courses and Webinar Opportunities
Gateway's Connectedness Coaching Training: Empowering Resilient Communities |
Click Here to Register
Optional Practical Sessions
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