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 289 688 2719.
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 289 688 2719.
"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 Circle
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.
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.
Call us today (289 688 2719) to be connected to our online Jam Sessions.
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.
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)
"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 detailed above is an example of such a collaboration.
Recognition of the Program's Value
- 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.
- Gateway CERH invited Lonely No More's Leadership Team to present during their 2023 spring lecture series. This presentation included lived experience from past LNM volunteers and can be viewed by clicking here.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
Lonely No More Service Providers
Provincial Director Sheila Schuehlein
Provincial Director Sarah Versteeg
Phone Number 289 688 2719
Email [email protected]
Provincial Director Sheila Schuehlein
Provincial Director Sarah Versteeg
Phone Number 289 688 2719
Email [email protected]
Thank you to those who have engaged with us!
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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