Lonely No More is an effective virtual outreach model.
It empowers those who self-identify with the negative impacts of social isolation and is currently being used to serve rural older adults.
This program enhances well-being through co-facilitating new networks and enabling improved community engagement by integrating peer support, conversing with appreciative inquiry, and resource navigation.
Interested in learning more about the program? Want to sponsor a participant?
Call us today at 519 292 6862
It empowers those who self-identify with the negative impacts of social isolation and is currently being used to serve rural older adults.
This program enhances well-being through co-facilitating new networks and enabling improved community engagement by integrating peer support, conversing with appreciative inquiry, and resource navigation.
Interested in learning more about the program? Want to sponsor a participant?
Call us today at 519 292 6862
"I thought it was a really unique program that was really focusing on ... peer to peer support which is amazing ... it leads to that ... level of connectivity and compassion and ... a sense of belonging that ... we're looking for." - Engaged Community Member
Our Core Program Offerings
Elder Circles (on summer break)
Since 2018, the Lonely No More program has been offering weekly over-the-phone group chats in rural Southwestern Ontario.
These weekly chats occur in a party-line over-the-phone fashion with 3 to 5 rural older adults engaging together, facilitated by 2 trained Community Volunteers (Elder Circles).
These Community Volunteers (Co-Facilitators) help implement the program's three pong approach to combating social isolation: peer support, conversing with appreciative inquiry, and resource navigation.
Volunteer Education
Our volunteer education includes 2 levels of training.
Level one (Connectedness Coaching) is a comprehensive resiliency education program proven to engage community members as LNM program peer facilitators (and community advocates) covering topics such as resource navigation, appreciative inquiry and competencies for peer support. Resiliency in our program's context means navigating and negotiating for your needs in a meaningful way.
Level two covers topics such as ageism, frailty as a dynamic state and elder abuse bystander engagement as well as practical application of the learning through interactive case studies.
What are the Benefits to Volunteering?
"For volunteers, outcomes include increased knowledge and awareness, skills, self-confidence, quality of life and improved mental health. Volunteering in a health [promotion] role can also be a pathway to education, employment or other volunteer roles. Outcomes for recipients depend on focus of intervention but can include health behaviour change, increased social support, improved access to services and better management of health conditions." (Public Health England, 2015)
Elder Circles (on summer break)
Since 2018, the Lonely No More program has been offering weekly over-the-phone group chats in rural Southwestern Ontario.
These weekly chats occur in a party-line over-the-phone fashion with 3 to 5 rural older adults engaging together, facilitated by 2 trained Community Volunteers (Elder Circles).
These Community Volunteers (Co-Facilitators) help implement the program's three pong approach to combating social isolation: peer support, conversing with appreciative inquiry, and resource navigation.
Volunteer Education
Our volunteer education includes 2 levels of training.
Level one (Connectedness Coaching) is a comprehensive resiliency education program proven to engage community members as LNM program peer facilitators (and community advocates) covering topics such as resource navigation, appreciative inquiry and competencies for peer support. Resiliency in our program's context means navigating and negotiating for your needs in a meaningful way.
Level two covers topics such as ageism, frailty as a dynamic state and elder abuse bystander engagement as well as practical application of the learning through interactive case studies.
What are the Benefits to Volunteering?
"For volunteers, outcomes include increased knowledge and awareness, skills, self-confidence, quality of life and improved mental health. Volunteering in a health [promotion] role can also be a pathway to education, employment or other volunteer roles. Outcomes for recipients depend on focus of intervention but can include health behaviour change, increased social support, improved access to services and better management of health conditions." (Public Health England, 2015)
To meet expressed needs and readiness to lead and try new things, the Lonely No More Leadership Team has been working closely with community volunteers, Lonely No More participants, and new collaborators to co-create new and innovative ways to provide additional support and create more connections with our rural older adult neighbors. The Music Group details below is an example of such a collaboration.
Listen, Learn & Try Initiatives
Currently offered this Summer
Music Group
Founded by two of Lonely No More's participants, this weekly online jam session is open to community members that are interested in listening or sharing their musical talents.
This is a great way to connect with your rural neighbors and be able to support older adults to play and share from the comfort of their own home.
Every Friday at 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Video and phone-in options are available.
Currently offered this Summer
Music Group
Founded by two of Lonely No More's participants, this weekly online jam session is open to community members that are interested in listening or sharing their musical talents.
This is a great way to connect with your rural neighbors and be able to support older adults to play and share from the comfort of their own home.
Every Friday at 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Video and phone-in options are available.
"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
Previous Listen, Learn & Try Initiatives
(Co-developed and led by LNM participants and volunteers to address voiced needs)
Storytelling Club (Virtual Program)
This monthly hour of entertainment and friendship provided a virtual space to share our community stories through the power of storytelling, to stay connected with our community throughout the fall and winter months and enjoy lively discussion with our neighbours. Click here to learn more.
Staying Active at Home (Over-the-Phone)
A 6 week over-the-phone customized movement group that combined the art of storytelling with the movements outlined by the Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto's Stretch, Lift or Tap (SLoT) program. This program was specifically aimed at LNM and community members living with frailty. Click here to learn more.
Laughter Yoga Event (Virtual Celebration)
To conclude our 6 week movement program, LNM invited the community to join in on a sponsored online laughter yoga class to celebrate the success and effort provided by engaged volunteer facilitators and participants. Huge thank you to Listowel's Laughter Yoga Instructor in guiding us 25-minutes of fun! Click here to learn more.
Connecting Together, Seeing a Smile (Cards)
Engaged individuals receive a card to personalize and deliver with a seed pack to an isolated neighbour and they also receive a seed pack for themselves. The card encourages connection and the seeds enable community members to grow together and foster future conversations. A LNM Volunteer worked with Elementary School children in Listowel ON to color and add greetings to these cards for LNM members. LNM participants spent their weekly calls that spring sharing how their seeds and their connections grew.
Let's Ride the Roller Coaster Together - A Coping Strategy Exchange (Virtual Event)
A community open event where LNM and community members learned and shared coping strategies. This event was a community Call to Action to reduce social isolation and improve individual wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grief and Loss: Let's Move Forward Together (Community Dialogue)
A community open event where LNM and community members shared stories and resources around moving through grief and loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. Huron Hospice, VON and North Perth Hospice and LNM participant representatives were guest speakers at this event.
Tea & Coffee Social (In-Person Event)
LNM hosted a Tea & Coffee Social in Goderich ON where LNM members could meet each other and build on their connections made in the program. Transportation through One Care was offered and utilized to ensure all members had the opportunity to attend.
(Co-developed and led by LNM participants and volunteers to address voiced needs)
Storytelling Club (Virtual Program)
This monthly hour of entertainment and friendship provided a virtual space to share our community stories through the power of storytelling, to stay connected with our community throughout the fall and winter months and enjoy lively discussion with our neighbours. Click here to learn more.
Staying Active at Home (Over-the-Phone)
A 6 week over-the-phone customized movement group that combined the art of storytelling with the movements outlined by the Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto's Stretch, Lift or Tap (SLoT) program. This program was specifically aimed at LNM and community members living with frailty. Click here to learn more.
Laughter Yoga Event (Virtual Celebration)
To conclude our 6 week movement program, LNM invited the community to join in on a sponsored online laughter yoga class to celebrate the success and effort provided by engaged volunteer facilitators and participants. Huge thank you to Listowel's Laughter Yoga Instructor in guiding us 25-minutes of fun! Click here to learn more.
Connecting Together, Seeing a Smile (Cards)
Engaged individuals receive a card to personalize and deliver with a seed pack to an isolated neighbour and they also receive a seed pack for themselves. The card encourages connection and the seeds enable community members to grow together and foster future conversations. A LNM Volunteer worked with Elementary School children in Listowel ON to color and add greetings to these cards for LNM members. LNM participants spent their weekly calls that spring sharing how their seeds and their connections grew.
Let's Ride the Roller Coaster Together - A Coping Strategy Exchange (Virtual Event)
A community open event where LNM and community members learned and shared coping strategies. This event was a community Call to Action to reduce social isolation and improve individual wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grief and Loss: Let's Move Forward Together (Community Dialogue)
A community open event where LNM and community members shared stories and resources around moving through grief and loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. Huron Hospice, VON and North Perth Hospice and LNM participant representatives were guest speakers at this event.
Tea & Coffee Social (In-Person Event)
LNM hosted a Tea & Coffee Social in Goderich ON where LNM members could meet each other and build on their connections made in the program. Transportation through One Care was offered and utilized to ensure all members had the opportunity to attend.
"I hate to miss even one session! We want to get more people to come. I have written my own songs to try out with our group. I hope we can make the sound even better for people to enjoy!" - Music Group Attendee
Recognition of the Program's Value
- 2024 Lonely No More was asked to share about the program, and it's training, as part of a panel on the Diverse Rural Communities Session at the Building Healthy Communities Conference: Utilizing Experience, Research and Practice for Ontario's Age-Friendly Future (March 20, 2024). Click here to listen to this presentation.
- 2023 Gateway CERH invited Lonely No More's Leadership Team to present during their spring lecture series. This presentation included lived experience from past LNM volunteers and can be viewed by clicking here.
- 2022 Lonely No More's Program Coordinator recently shared the program's model at Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario's Annual Conference Master Class on March 31st, 2022 as an example of a successful engagement intervention and promising practice. Click here to listen to the presentation and learn new ways to connect with others.
- 2021 The Lonely No More Program has been recognized as a promising practice by the Honourable Deb Schulte, Minister of Seniors for Canada and the Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA) announced at the Federal / Provincial / Territorial Ministers’ ‘Future of Aging in Canada’ symposium held on June 8, 2021. Click here to learn more.
- 2021 Lonely No More's Leadership Team was also invited to participate on the Loneliness Panel at CMHC's Crafting Connections in a Landscape of Uncertainly Conference (November 2021).
Sponsors of the Month
A huge thank you to the Municipality of North Perth for their continued support to deliver this program to their residents. We greatly appreciate working alongside you to make a positive impact in your community. To learn more about the Municipality of North Perth click here. We also want to thank Melloul-Blamey Construction for their generous donation to program.
A huge thank you to the Municipality of North Perth for their continued support to deliver this program to their residents. We greatly appreciate working alongside you to make a positive impact in your community. To learn more about the Municipality of North Perth click here. We also want to thank Melloul-Blamey Construction for their generous donation to program.
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