MEDIA RELEASE
Launching the COVID-Virtual Activity Pods
February 12, 2021
SUDBURY, ON - Volunteer Sudbury has announced the opening of their new program, Virtual Activity Pods, funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons Senior Program. The new initiative, targeted towards older adults (age 55+), is designed to help decrease feelings of social isolation, while providing participants with innovative ways to get involved in the community despite the ongoing pandemic.
The program consists of 3 groups or “pods” that will meet virtually on Zoom once a week for a 12 week period. This will allow participants an opportunity to socialize with their peers while safe at home, and provide opportunities to take part in activities aimed at giving back to Greater Sudbury residents.
Each pod has a different theme; these include crafting, and ‘messages of hope’. Activities cover a wide range of things, such as sewing masks and knitting winter wear to donate to community organizations like warming centres and shelters, and assembling care packages and writing cards and notes for frontline workers in a continued effort to thank them.
All the supplies needed for the Covid Virtual Activity Pods will be delivered via contactless delivery; involvement in the program is of no cost to participants. Each pod will be led by another older adult in the community, who will act as a liaison between Volunteer Sudbury and their group, helping to plan and facilitate the meetings and activities each week on the video calls.
In order to foster a sense of community, it is suggested that participants have reliable access to a computer with WiFi, a webcam and a microphone for the meetings so they can participate on video and see other participants, though it is possible to call into the group meetings through a cell phone or landline and participate by voice-only.
“As we all know, social isolation has been a huge concern throughout this pandemic, specifically for older adults,” says Program Coordinator, Megan Karchie. “But we also still have so many people reaching out to our organization, looking for ways to volunteer during a time where there aren’t many traditional opportunities to do so. That’s why we felt this program was the perfect way to address both these issues at once.”
If you are interested in being a participant or a leader in the program, or have a family member or friend you feel could benefit from the Virtual Activity Pod Program, you can visit https://www.volunteersudbury.com/covid-virtual-activity-pods for more information and fill out the simple sign up form, or contact Volunteer Sudbury directly by emailing the Program Coordinator at megan@volunteersudbury.com.
About Volunteer Sudbury: Volunteer Sudbury is a local non-profit volunteer resource centre that acts as a link between volunteers and community organizations that rely on volunteers to do the wonderful work that they do. Volunteer Sudbury helps to promote the benefits of volunteerism through awareness and education, and is the local fixture for promoting, encouraging, developing and facilitating meaningful volunteer experiences.
About the New Horizons for Seniors Program: The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants and contributions program. It provides funding for projects that make a difference in the lives of seniors and in their communities.