About The Program
A Friendly Voice is a free, confidential “warm line” for older adults aged 55 and above living in Ontario and the Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island). It’s a welcoming space where you can freely connect with a caring individual without expectations or judgment. Whether you’re struggling with loneliness or simply looking to stay socially healthy and add some connection to your routine, we’re here to lend an empathetic ear and engage in delightful conversations.
Maybe it’s been a while since you had a heart-to-heart with someone, or you’re going through a period of loss, or perhaps you just want to gush about your new grandbaby. A Friendly Voice is here to listen.
A Friendly Voice is a social service program offered in Ontario and now the Atlantic provinces by Rural Ottawa South Support Services (ROSSS). ROSSS is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to excellence in the delivery of rural community support services. ROSSS champions the wellness of older adults and adults living with disabilities by providing high-quality, innovative, and accessible health and social services that strengthen their capacity to live independently at home and age well in their rural communities.
Did You Know?
- Living alone
- Being age 80 or older
- Having compromised health status, including having multiple chronic health problems
- Having no children or contact with family
- Lacking access to transportation
- Living with low income
- Changing family structures, younger people migrating for work and leaving seniors behind, and location of residence (i.e., urban, rural and remote).
Become a Volunteer
We need volunteers to take calls, listen and connect seniors with resources in their communities. Volunteers do NOT give advice nor counselling. Any crisis situations will be immediately deferred to appropriate authorities, emergency or crisis services. A Friendly Voice provides training and resources to ensure volunteers have a successful and rewarding experience.
Volunteers must complete the application form, be willing to present or acquire a police record check for the vulnerable sector every year and participate in the training program. We ask volunteers for a 4- hour commitment per week to answer calls at the call centre or remotely.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for A Friendly Voice, please contact us or complete the Application Form below.
Volunteer Application Form
Our Supporters
Donate
A Friendly Voice is a community of support for older adults experiencing loneliness and isolation. We offer a lifeline for those in need of a warm connection.
A Friendly Voice began with the generous support of a Provincial Impact Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, recognizing the growing crisis of loneliness and isolation faced by seniors in our communities. This funding was vital for getting this program running and we continue to be funded by local, provincial and federal grants. We are exceedingly grateful for this funding, however with the rapid rate of growth this program has experienced, we now find that the demand for our services is quickly exceeding the resources we have.
Imagine the power of your contribution. With your support, we can continue to be the reassuring voice on the other end of the line and a beacon of hope for those who need us most. Your generosity will make a tangible difference in the lives older adults experiencing loneliness and isolation by ensuring that A Friendly Voice remains a steadfast companion to those in need, guiding them through life’s challenges with warmth and care. Your support is not just a donation; it’s an investment in the well-being and happiness of our community’s most vulnerable.
