Submitted by Kelly Taylor, Executive Director
Urban/Rural Rides’ most recent initiative includes hosting "Virtual Drop-in Centres" in Southeast New Brunswick. Urban/Rural Rides wanted to help address the needs of older adults experiencing social isolation, mostly in rural areas, and even more so since the pandemic. The focus was to connect these individuals virtually and in person to help with isolation by attending presentations relating to topics of interest.
As a funding initiative from the Government of Canada's New Horizons Seniors Program, they have been holding virtual and in-person meetings with residents of senior's homes and complexes in various communities.
Urban/Rural Rides’ most recent initiative includes hosting "Virtual Drop-in Centres" in Southeast New Brunswick. Urban/Rural Rides wanted to help address the needs of older adults experiencing social isolation, mostly in rural areas, and even more so since the pandemic. The focus was to connect these individuals virtually and in person to help with isolation by attending presentations relating to topics of interest.
As a funding initiative from the Government of Canada's New Horizons Seniors Program, they have been holding virtual and in-person meetings with residents of senior's homes and complexes in various communities.
They were very pleased to have Caledonia Residence in Hillsborough partner with them as a pilot project for this community initiative. Meetings were held virtually and in person once a month with a topic of discussion that was of interest to the participants. Topics included Health and Wellness, Cooking with Spices, visiting Mini Horses and taking a virtual journey to visit penguins in the Falkland Islands.
Grass Homes in Riverview was very welcoming with the on-site presentations. They have already scheduled another visit in the coming months.
After the on-site meetings, discussions continued with residents and refreshments were served. As the meetings continued, it became evident that older adults much prefer meeting in person or having the opportunity to view a recorded presentation in a group setting or as an individual at their convenience.
Grass Homes in Riverview was very welcoming with the on-site presentations. They have already scheduled another visit in the coming months.
After the on-site meetings, discussions continued with residents and refreshments were served. As the meetings continued, it became evident that older adults much prefer meeting in person or having the opportunity to view a recorded presentation in a group setting or as an individual at their convenience.
Residents at Grass Home, Riverview, enjoying an on-site presentation
After the on-site meetings, discussions continued with residents and refreshments were served. As the meetings continued, it became evident that older adults much prefer meeting in person or having the opportunity to view a recorded presentation in a group setting or as an individual at their convenience.
Urban/Rural Rides was very fortunate to have Parker Barriault as a summer student who visited with several presenters and recorded topics of interest. Video recordings will be available on the following platforms: URR website, www.urbanruralrides.ca, under the section “Video Library” – coming soon!, on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/urban.rural.rides or on YouTube, at https://tinyurl.com/virtualdropincentre. Nursing and special care homes can also request that Urban/Rural Rides do a virtual, in-person, or zoom presentation.
Urban/Rural Rides was very fortunate to have Parker Barriault as a summer student who visited with several presenters and recorded topics of interest. Video recordings will be available on the following platforms: URR website, www.urbanruralrides.ca, under the section “Video Library” – coming soon!, on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/urban.rural.rides or on YouTube, at https://tinyurl.com/virtualdropincentre. Nursing and special care homes can also request that Urban/Rural Rides do a virtual, in-person, or zoom presentation.
Urban/Rural Rides is a transportation program providing drives to seniors and low-income families for medical appointments and food bank access. Urban/Rural Rides continues to expand, and service areas now include Southeast NB, the Greater Fredericton area, Western Valley, Northwest NB, and the Fundy Region. Transportation is available Monday through Friday. To request a drive in any of the service areas or become a volunteer driver please use the contact information for your region below or visit us online. Volunteer drivers receive $.50/km reimbursement. Visit www.urbanruralrides.ca for more information or to volunteer.
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