A check-in program connects British Columbians who are feeling lonely with volunteers

Theresa Wess admits she was skepticalabout the idea of talking tostrangers throughthe Friendly Calls Program.

An initiative runby theCanadian Red Cross, the phone-based program pairs a trained volunteerwith an adultwho is feeling lonely andhaslimited social or family connections.

"I didn't want to be a part of it," Wess told Gloria Macarenko of CBC's On The Coast. "How could I confide my feelings, my fears with someone I never met?"

The program aims to enhance social connectedness and well-being, with a focus on reaching older adults, Indigenous people, frontline workers, caregivers and anyone who may benefit from increased access to regular emotional support.

Wess, a77-year-old resident of Salmon Arm, B.C., said her daughter convinced her to participate in the program after Wess wasdiagnosed with breast cancer a couple of years ago.

"My daughter was looking out for me and so she filled a form and signed me in andsoon I received a phone call from a volunteer," she said. "It felt a bit odd at first."

Wess considers the Red Cross volunteeronce a strangera close friend.

"I gain happiness when I talk to her and I look forward to when the phone rings," Wess said.

Alina Benischekhas been checking inwith Wess almost every weekforover a year-and-a-half. The 33-year-old beganvolunteering withthe Friendly Calls Program in the summer of 2022.

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Alina Benischek and Theresa Wess speak with Gloria Macarenko about the Red Cross Friendly Calls program, which matches adults with Red Cross personnel who check in regularly, offer emotional support and suggest well-being resources and community connections.

"I got really curious about this program when I heard about it,"Benischeksaid. "People who had joined said they got a lot of meaning out of it."

Benischek, who is training to be a nurse, says her conversations with Wess havehelped her become a morecompassionate caregiver and have helpedWesskeep loneliness at bay.

"Loneliness can augment underlyinganxiety, exacerbate stress, affect sleep quality, and impact cardiovascular andrespiratory health," Benischek said."Having emotional support is critical in recovery."

Recent research has shownsocial isolation and loneliness posesignificant public health concerns, particularly for older individuals.

TheNational Institute on Ageing revealedin a study released this month that as many as 41 per cent of Canadians aged 50 years and older are at risk of social isolation and up to 58 per cent have experienced loneliness.

The study saysyounger Canadians are also experiencing loneliness at an alarmingly high rate, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In May of this year, the federal governmentannounced$8.5 million in fundingto expand the Friendly Calls Program.

The Canadian Red Cross says since receiving the fundingtheprogramhas provided over twomillion minutes of support through 62,000 contacts in Canada. Approximately 1,000 volunteers across Canada supportthe check-in initiativewith 120 volunteers in B.C.

Lending an ear during tough times

Wess's cancer is in remission. Undergoing multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation therapytooka toll on her emotionally, but she creditsBenischekfor lending an ear during tough times.

"Alina really helped me pull through it all," she said.

Wess recently underwent open-heart surgery after being diagnosed with heart failure.

"I am recovering from it and it has been difficult but Alina keeps calling me," she said.

They often share laughs, Wess says, and talk about anything from embarrassing life experiences to their deepest fears and concerns.

Benischeksays both sheand Wess have made a meaningful difference in each other's lives.

"We have bonded and have become like family,"she said."I genuinely care about her well-being."