REGINA – Older adults in Saskatchewan have hailed the Canadian Red Cross (CRC)-Friendly Calls program insisting the program has transformed their lives.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted people’s way of life, the Red Cross in Saskatchewan is determined to continue providing support to isolated and/or lonely individuals through the Friendly Calls program.
According to Statistics Canada, social isolation and exclusion are related to serious negative health effects and reduced quality of life for seniors. Friendly Calls is working to change this, by matching volunteers with participants over the phone of those who participate.
“If you are feeling lonely and you are feeling a little bit isolated The Red Cross can help you,” says Luc Mullinder, CRC, Vice President, Saskatchewan.
The CRC Friendly Calls program pairs a trained Red Cross volunteer or staff member with an older adult who is feeling isolated or lonely, who may have limited social or family connections, or who feels they could benefit from more social interaction.
“We can talk about anything. I can let go. Relax a little bit and talk about something else. You see life in a different perspective when you get a call like I do,” recalled Chantal Bisson, a participant of the CRC Friendly Calls Program in Saskatchewan. “It’s very beneficial and for a little while you can forget your problems, your situation and listen to the other one. It’s a two-way Communication and it’s a benefit to both of us.”
Increasingly, individuals with limited social and family connections across Saskatchewan are receiving unwavering support in their time of need, thanks to the Red Cross Friendly Calls Program. Since 2019, the program has grown exponentially. Friendly Calls Volunteers have made over 7600 calls to older adults in over 30 communities across the province. The program is free to join, and the demand is high for volunteers.
“I thought there is something that I can do to reach out to someone just to make their day a little bit better,” adds Gisele Yarbrough, a Friendly Calls Volunteer. “Quite frankly it has turned out to make my day better as well.”
For more information on being a Friendly Calls Volunteer or becoming a participant, please visit www.redcross.ca/skfriendlycalls or call 1-888-335-3345.
