The Community Centre without Walls

The Community Centre without Walls - theHumm May 2020

The North Lanark Community Health Centre (NLCHC) and PEP Seniors Therapeutic Centre (PEP) are teaming up to help area seniors, and adults living with disabilities, stay connected through a new telephone-based group programming venture called the “Community Centre Without Walls – Lanark County”. PEP and the NLCHC have a lot of experience in delivering in-person group programs for seniors. Collectively they have served hundreds of older adults and seniors each year through their programs, including the “Fit-for-Life” Exercise and Falls Prevention classes, PEP Senior’s Day Program or “Breathe Well Live Well” for people with COPD. With the postponement of these programs and the need to practice physical distancing, both organizations were looking for a new way to bring seniors together to reduce isolation and to strengthen meaningful connection.

With funding support from the United Way East Ontario and the Champlain Community Support Network, the Ottawa-based Good Companion Seniors Centre has been able to expand their “Seniors Centre Without Walls” program into Lanark County. This telephone-based program will allow PEP and NLCHC to offer both closed groups (by limited invitation for a select population) and open groups (for the general population).

Pauline Fitchett, Executive Director of PEP and Kara Symbolic, Community Programs Coordinator at NLCHC both noted: “how very excited we are to be partnering with each other on this initiative and to have been provided access and training through the Good Companions Program. Telephone-based group programming gives us an accessible, low-tech option that has the potential to enrich the lives of seniors, adults with disabilities and their caregivers and to reduce the impacts of loneliness and isolation. We’re moving as quickly as we can to get this program up-and-running, and we’re aiming to launch our open programs on May 1.”

Open group topics are varied, and suggestions for guest speakers and topics are welcome. Individuals and other community organizations are being invited to contribute guest speakers and activities for the open program time spots. Some examples include:

Word Games to get your brain firing with trivia and quizzical questions on many different topics and themes, to explore and discover fun facts on an array of topics, and to learn and gather new knowledge of words.

Let’s Chat is time for seniors to grab their coffee/tea, get comfortable by the phone and join in twice a week for a chat among newly found friends.

Name That… will test your knowledge on an array of mystery subjects from tunes, people, places, events and things.

Caregiver Coffee Chat is an opportunity for caregivers to share their experiences, talk about the challenges and triumphs, and most of all to encourage each other along a similar journey.

For people interested in participating, here is the basic information you need to know about both open and closed group programs:

It is completely free to participate (no long-distance or other charges apply)

You do not need to be a member

No special equipment is needed — just your average telephone

Programs are multi-person phone conversations (or conference calls) with a host or facilitator

Each program lasts between 30-55 minutes

You are able to hear each other, talk to one another, learn and/or have fun!

The program calendar provides a description of the available programs so you can choose the ones that best suit your interests.

To learn more about the Community Centre Without Walls – Lanark County, or to receive a copy of the calendar please contact Pauline at 201-7172 or info@morepep.ca or Pam at 326-1131 or pfergusson@nlchc.on.ca .

The Return of the Victory Garden: an Interview with Ed Lawrence - theHumm May 2020

theHumm is reaching out to members of our Ottawa Valley community to ask how they are finding ways to use their gifts in these challenging times. Today’s subject is Ed Lawrence, CBC Radio’s gardening guru. We emailed Ed to find out what he’s been up to, and what advice he has for novice gardeners who may want to try their hand at growing their own veggies this year.

theHumm: I imagine you have had fewer speaking engagements than usual this spring — what ha......

The Community Centre without Walls - theHumm May 2020