Report: "Safe Seniors, Strong Communities" (6-month Summary: March 27 to September 30, 2020).

A Report on “Safe Seniors, Strong Communities”. For the 6-Month Period Between March 27 and September 30, 2020

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, many older British Columbians who normally lived independently with the help of family and friends found those supports unavailable and required more assistance to remain connected and engaged.

In response, the Provincial Ministry of Health, the Office of the Seniors Advocate, bc211 and the United Way of the Lower Mainland – through Healthy Aging by United Way (HAUW) – joined forces to create “Safe Seniors, Strong Communities” (SSSC), a coordinated, province-wide response to the pandemic that bolsters seniors supports and essential non-medical service delivery at community service agencies throughout B.C.

The bc211 service was expanded to all areas of B.C. to allow for anyone to call 2-1-1 if they needed some help with groceries, prepared meal delivery, medication pick up, a social connection buddy, and/or other types of supports. Also, anyone who wished to volunteer to support this initiative could call 2-1-1.

Between March 27 and September 30, 2020, funding was distributed across B.C. to support agencies to deliver SSSC services and supports. In addition, all HAUW-funded agencies were asked to shift their regular HAUW funding over to support SSSC and prioritize the needs of this initiative during the pandemic.

This report summarizes the activities, senior and volunteer metrics, and agency partners involved in the SSSC initiative for the 6-month period between March and September 2020.

See the attached document for the full report.

Prepared by: Camille J. Hannah, Provincial Coordinator, Healthy Aging United Way of the Lower Mainland. Released December 9, 2020