Better at Home volunteers make a BIG difference

April 28th, 2017

To celebrate National Volunteer Week and to honour Better at Home volunteers for the amazing work they do, here is a story of how our volunteers are changing seniors’ lives:

Better at Home (BH) volunteers play an integral role in helping seniors stay longer in their homes and communities. Anne* is one of the Renfrew-Collingwood Better at Home friendly visiting clients. Originally from France, she has long-since called Canada home. She has no family living here. Anne used to work as a travel agent and enjoyed making short films in her spare time, but was diagnosed with agoraphobia. She found herself becoming increasingly isolated.

Since reaching out to the Better at Home program at Collingwood Neighbourhood House, Anne has connected with Jane*, a volunteer with the program. Every Thursday they go for a one and a half hour walk and talk. Anne says that having Jane as her companion has been a positive and enriching experience, and their time together increases her confidence and her time spent outside. Jane benefits too. She describes her experience with the program as a great learning opportunity.

*Names have been changed.