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By Chantal Wagner

friendly phone calls

Keep In Touch program popular, more volunteers needed

Dec 30, 2020 | 3:56 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Keep In Touch Program is a weekly friendly phone call that connects a volunteer with an individual who may be lonely or want someone to talk to.

Program coordinator Sydney Ratzlaff says volunteers are there to develop connections and help fight isolation.

Right now they have 31 active participants and 19 volunteers. The program is now under the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

She says the program has taken off in the last two weeks and they are in need of more volunteers.

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Retzlaff believes the increase of participants is due to the recent COVID-19 restrictions and more time people have around Christmas.

The time commitment for volunteers is about one hour a week for three months.

Volunteers are also screened and provided with training.

Razlaff says the weekly phone call provides support, encouragement, and referrals to resources if needed.

“I just got off the phone with one of our new participants, she just started last week and wanted to say thank you for the program. She and her volunteer spent about two hours on the phone getting to know each other that first phone call. And she said she was so grateful, they had so much in common, and she was so thankful for the program,” she said.

As for the current demographic, Ratzlaff says they have a lot of seniors who live alone but are also seeing younger people who live alone or single parents who need that extra support and encouragement

To sign up to become a Keep In touch volunteer or participant email kitprogram@cmha-aser.ca

Or call the local CMHA office at 403-504-1811 Ext. 114.

The program is ongoing until November of 2021.

Participants from Medicine Hat, Redcliff, and the surrounding area are welcome.

The program first got underway in the summer.