City of Brantford and SKIP team up to support seniors impacted by Covid-19 restrictions

Brantford, ON – While the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the need to physically distance from others outside of our household, the City recognizes that this may make some residents vulnerable to social isolation, especially seniors. The City of Brantford and Seniors and Kids Intergenerational Programs (SKIP) are committed to decreasing the negative effects of social isolation by providing older adults with an opportunity to engage in a friendly conversation with a member of their local community.

On September 3, 2020, the Honourable Deb Schulte, Minister of Seniors, announced new projects to be delivered by community organizations across the country to support seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Brantford was among the organizations that received funding from the Government's New Horizons for Seniors Program to support older adults in Brantford.

The City of Brantford received $10,000 to fund the "BUZZ ME” program in partnership with SKIP. BUZZ ME is a social phone-line intended for seniors who are feeling socially or physically isolated. Via BUZZ ME, seniors can talk to a friendly SKIP volunteer by calling 1-866-999-2899. The phone-line is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

BUZZ ME also provides the opportunity for residents to schedule call times online through SKIP's website at www.goskip.org/buzz-me. Residents can schedule a call time for themselves, or on behalf of friends and family.

“At SKIP, it has always been our mission to connect generations by providing support through outreach programs, sharing resources, and community partnerships. Together, we aim to redefine what a healthy, multigenerational society should look like. During these unprecedented times there is increased global awareness of social isolation, and the negative impact it has on healthy aging” says Liz Martorano, Director of SKIP. "Our belief has always been to meet seniors where they are and enrich their day with hope, and this is exactly what we’re doing through the senior call service "BUZZ ME,” said Liz Martorano, Director of SKIP. “In partnership with the City of Brantford, we are excited to provide an invitation to seniors to connect with compassionate agents via telephone. Through this service, seniors can engage in friendly conversations with the option to book regular wellness calls. Despite the limitations of the pandemic, our mission has not changed. We will seek creative ways to provide Intergenerational Programs that will continue to focus on keeping seniors and our broader community connected."

“It is so important, now more than ever, that we stay safely connected with loved ones, friends, and neighbours, and explore ways to support and keep the older adults in our lives engaged,” said Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis. “As a new senior myself, I enthusiastically applaud SKIP and City staff for making the BUZZ ME program available to older adults in our community, and for their commitment to ensuring a better quality of life for seniors during what continues to be a trying and perhaps isolating time for many.”

Providing seniors with opportunities to remain socially connected is a key component of the City's Healthy Aging Plan. The City of Brantford was recognized by the World Health Organization as an Age-Friendly community in 2017 and received the Ontario Age-Friendly Community Recognition Award in 2018. The City of Brantford continues to be a leader in Age-friendly planning and seeks to develop programs that continue to meet the specific needs of seniors in our community.

For additional information regarding valuable resources for seniors during the pandemic, please visit Brantford.ca/NeighboursHelpingNeighbours.

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Media Contact:
Maria Visocchi Director, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | Office: 519.759.4150 Ext. 5754 | mvisocchi@brantford.ca