Neepawa Connects: new volunteer program is bringing friendship to seniors

By Joshua Jackson Neepawa Banner & Press

The Home Assistance Neepawa and District (HAND) is The Home Assistance Neepawa and District (HAND) is looking for volunteers for its new program, which hopes to help seniors in Neepawa combat loneliness and social isolation. 

HAND Coordinator Michelle Kasprick said she developed a very similar program a few years ago but never had a chance to implement it.  

“Some friends and I were having a meeting about a different topic, and the idea for Neepawa Connects just sort of got developed through the conversation,” she said. 

The program hopes to pair registered volunteers with eligible seniors to foster companionship, conversation, and connection. The role of a Connected Friend Volunteer is mainly to be a person that a senior can depend on for friendship, social connection and regular contact.  

“Ways this can happen are by in-person visits where the senior and volunteer can have coffee and a visit, play cards, look at photos, etc, dropping off little ‘thinking of you’ care packages, sending a card or friendly note, and by making regular friendly phone calls,” she said. 

Kasprick noted that there are things that are not the responsibility of a Connected Friend Volunteer, like errands, household and outside chores for the senior. 

“The program is strictly a friendship-based volunteer service,” she said.

Kasprick urges everyone to consider this volunteer opportunity– not only will you be making a huge impact on a senior’s life, but the friendship you find will greatly enrich your own. 

 “I feel there is a great need for a program like this in Neepawa, simply for the fact that all too often, seniors become isolated in their homes and feelings of loneliness and depression set in. This is especially true for those seniors whose mobility is compromised and who are unable to get out and be around others,” she said.  “Everyone needs human contact, friendship and someone to care.  There is thankfully less of a stigma surrounding mental health nowadays, but I think that a lot of people forget that seniors’ lives are greatly impacted by their mental health as well. Neepawa Connects is a way of supporting that.” 

Anyone who wishes to volunteer or have a volunteer contact them can call (204-476-2009) or come to the HAND office at 430 Brown Ave (across from the Neepawa Legion). Volunteers wanting to enlist in the program must complete an Adult Abuse Registry Check & Criminal Record Check, which are free for volunteers, as well as sign an Oath of Confidentiality.