Call for Your Daily Dose
About The Program
Bring some warmth to your day.
A Friendly Voice is a free, confidential “warm line” for older Ontarians, 55+ who just want to chat with a friendly person who cares, 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 offer an empathetic ear and good conversation.
Maybe it’s been a while since you talked to someone, or maybe you’re grieving a loss, or maybe you just want to gush about your new grandbaby. A Friendly Voice is here to listen.
Maybe it’s been a while since you talked to someone, or maybe you’re grieving a loss, or maybe you just want to gush about your new grandbaby. A Friendly Voice is here to listen.
Our phone line is open seven days a week, 8AM-10PM
Toll-free: 1 (855) 892-9992
Ottawa area: (613) 692-9992
Did You Know?
Statistics Canada reports that an estimated 1.6 million elderly Canadians feel lonely. Loneliness and social isolation can lead to significant physical and health issues for seniors that are as concerning as obesity, alcoholism or smoking.
Risk factors include:
- 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).
A Friendly Voice is here to listen. Our trained volunteers offer an empathic ear and commitment-free conversation to seniors who just want to chat with a friendly person who cares. Please note, A Friendly Voice is not a crisis line or referral service.
Our Volunteers
Our volunteers are empathetic, supportive and available for the seniors who call us. Through warm, friendly conversations, volunteers support and encourage callers to engage with their community.
Volunteers are always needed.
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
A Friendly Voice would like to acknowledge and thank its funding partners and supporters, without whom this valuable program would not be possible.
Donate
A Friendly Voice is a social service program offered 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. We champion the rights of seniors, people with disabilities and caregivers.
A Friendly Voice has been made possible through a Provincial Impact Grant from Ontario Trillium Foundation. However, the costs for this program do exceed what the grant funding provides. If this initiative is one that you feel inspired to support, we welcome your contribution.
A Friendly Voice has been made possible through a Provincial Impact Grant from Ontario Trillium Foundation. However, the costs for this program do exceed what the grant funding provides. If this initiative is one that you feel inspired to support, we welcome your contribution.
