Compassionate Neighbourhood Health Partners Society

The Compassionate Neighbourhood Health Partners Society (Compassionate Neighbours) is a registered charitable society, governed by the BC Societies Act and its own Constitution and by-laws.

Compassionate Neighbours provides social support for older adults and their caregivers in the Chilliwack, BC community. Our goal is to be Chilliwack’s best provider of social connections and social and emotional support for older adults and their caregivers, in order to prevent social isolation. We strive to do this by offering a wide range of social opportunities for older adults and their caregivers through community education and volunteer-facilitated neighbourly connections. All Compassionate Neighbours services are provided free of charge.

Compassionate Neighbours has been serving our community since June 2017.

Compassionate Neighbours provides a variety of support services for older adults living in Chilliwack, BC, so that no older adult needs to feel isolated, lonely or unsupported in his or her neighbourhood.  We also facilitate weekly group support sessions for the caregivers of older adults.

Support for seniors:

• Seniors Social Group events include a Wednesday or Thursday morning activities where older adults can socialize, learn about community and health related resources, once a month fun exercise program, and receive free snacks and a bi-weekly free lunch.  Older adults who do not drive can receive transportation assistance to join in with the weekly events.
• Bi-weekly Tuesday afternoon intergenerational events provide youth and seniors with an opportunity to participate in games, crafts and conversation, as well as one-on-one connections.
• One-on-one weekly telephone calls or in-person visits provide social support for older adults, including those living with serious illness or frailty.
• Monthly social meal visits provide an opportunity for seniors who have difficulty getting out to share a free meal with a volunteer in the senior's own home.
• Monthly group social meal at select seniors' apartment complexes

Support for caregivers of older adults:

• One-on-one telephone support on a regular basis or as needed.
• Informal caregiver group interaction for mutual support and encouragement via a weekly Thursday afternoon in-person meeting, led by a peer facilitator who received training through Family Caregivers of BC.

Support for neighbourhood activation:

• Through attending a series of free educational workshops, attendees learn how to support older adults living in their neighbourhood and can become a Neighbourhood Connector.