Not sure if this program is right for you or someone you know? We have more than happy to do trial calls to see if our service matches your needs!

Could you or someone you know benefit from a Friendly Phone call?

Our Friendly Phones program establishes daily contact with residents who live alone and/or have medical problems, but it’s more than just a phone call; we offer peace of mind and reassurance that someone cares about you or your family member’s well-being and safety.

We are happy to say that the program runs seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Our volunteers make friendly phone calls and establish daily contact with those who:

  • Are living alone
  • Have medical needs
  • Need reassurance that someone cares
  • Need some peace of mind
  • Need extra safety
  • Would benefit from social connection

This program is always FREE and can be started or stopped anytime.

If you are interested, please use the button below to download a copy of the Friendly Phones application form to complete. If you need a paper copy of the form, contact ccpes@shaw.ca or call 250-597-7927 to arrange pick up from one of our offices – if coming into the office is challenging, we can arrange to come to you!

Friendly Phone Client Application Form

Once the form is complete, signed, and returned to an office, we will add the information to our list & begin calls the following day.

How the program works

An interview is conducted with each client and a short history is recorded to assess overall well-being at the time of starting the program.  All information is confidential and kept in locked cabinets.

We know that every client has different needs so we offer four different options for daily contact:

  1. Phone Call: A daily phone call from our dedicated Friendly Phones volunteer at an agreed upon time (between 9am and 10:30am). Calls can be made between 1 and 7 times per week based on client needs and schedules.
  2. Email: Client sends an email to the office prior to an agreed upon time and we will reply via email.
  3. Voice Mail: Client calls our voice mail prior to an agreed upon time.
  4. Temporary Check-ins: Have you just been released from the hospital or are in injury recovery? Have Family going out of town? We offer temporary calls for those who are looking for extra support until they feel confident in their recovery.

Clients can stop, resume, and change the number of calls they receive per week at anytime.

Friendly Phone Client Referrals

We welcome referrals for the Friendly Phones Program from:

  • General public & Self referrals
  • Doctors & other Health Professionals
  • Care & Support workers
  • RCMP & IPS
  • Victims Services
  • Family members & friends
  • Community organizations

Do you work in contact with or support ageing clients?

Please reach out if you are interested in obtaining copies of the Free Friendly Phone rack cards and posters for your place of work! We are always looking for places to advertise and promote the program, such as:

  • Libraries
  • Pharmacies & Clinics
  • Community & Activity Centres
  • Grocery & Drug Stores
  • Visitor Centres
  • Business windows
  • Chiropractor, Physical Therapy, & Massage Therapy offices

What happens if a client doesn’t answer the phone call or check in?

If, at the appointed time, the client does not answer the phone or has not contacted us, then a plan is implemented to address the safety and well-being of the client.  This includes:

  • Calling the client a second time after an hour has passed. Many seniors are still busy and may be out of the house at appointments, running errands, gardening, or performing household tasks when we try to reach them.
  • Communicating with backup contact(s) that the client identified in the interview/paperwork.
  • In exceptional circumstances, requesting/completing a wellness check.

Friendly Phone Volunteer Callers

Are you passionate about helping others? Do you enjoy chatting and learning from others? Do you want to give back to your community? Are you retired, work from home, or have free time in the morning? Are you a senior looking to connect with other seniors?

Qualities of Friendly Phone callers include:

  • Friendly
  • Caring
  • Supportive
  • Conversational
  • Patient
  • Compassionate
  • Open-minded

If any of the above statements sounds like you, becoming a Friendly phones Volunteer Caller could be a great position for you!

Callers are responsible for:

  • Calling clients at their call time (9am-10:00am).
  • Creating light conversation to assess client well-being and develop rapport.
  • Making notes of any concerns, necessary follow ups, and times clients will be away.
  • Providing resource information as needed to help promote clients ageing in place.
  • Giving other volunteers & staff notice if you are unable to complete calls & filling in for other volunteers when able.

*Callers are not field experts, and cannot provide medical or legal advice to clients beyond verbal resource & support recommendations.

Click here for more information on how to join our volunteer team.

CCPES Volunteer Application Form