Loneliness and social isolation can have devastating impacts on our health and well-being and are affecting more people every day. This is especially true as we age and our social connections change. To help address this issue, we’ve created a digital program-in-a-box called Community Connections: Phone-Friendly Programming to Build Social Bridges. This self-directed course provides everything you need to design, launch, and sustain a phone-friendly social program for vulnerable people in your community.
A Proven Model
Since 2015, The Good Companions Seniors’ Centre Without Walls (SCWW) program has demonstrated that accessible, phone-based activities can foster meaningful social connections and enhance well-being. Building on this success, we spent years training non-profits, municipalities, and small community agencies—equipping them with the tools and knowledge to start their own programs. Today, a vast network of organizations have adopted this proven model, reaching tens of thousands of people in multiple provinces and 14 languages. Originally developed for older adults and adults with disabilities, this flexible model can be adapted to support anyone facing social isolation.
What You Get
This digital course is the culmination of everything we’ve learned, packaging years of experience, research, and best practices into a lasting resource that empowers organizations to build their own phone-friendly program with confidence.
- Self-paced video tutorials: Clear, actionable guidance that makes implementing the program easy.
- Ready-to-use resources: Program calendars, facilitation guides, program content, outreach materials, checklists, tip sheets, and more.
- Diverse accessibility options: Tools and resources to serve a wide range of participants.
- Real-world insights: Success stories and examples to inspire and inform you.
Discover how simple changes can create lasting connections. Sign up for free now to access this valuable resource and lead your community toward greater connection and inclusion.
Meaningful Connections
“I wait for programs. There is always something interesting to talk about. This is keeping my brain working. I love to hear what other people say and share experiences. I like how the leader prepares interesting programs. I also like that there is no need to go anywhere. No need to worry about other people being sick on the bus and catching something.”
“I had nothing to look forward to anymore…Aging was not going well for me…The phone programs gave me something to look forward to, a new social connection with new people. I remember after only the first program, I was excited and couldn’t wait for the next one. It literally lifted me out of depression and loneliness. I was no longer alone.”
“I wait all week for the program. It feels good to connect and feel part of a community for those of us who…experience loneliness.”
Funding for this project was generously provided by The Waltons Trust.
