Bus trips, tech training for seniors funded by grant
WELLINGTON NORTH – A provincial grant of $21,700 enabled 600 seniors to go on trips to museums, art galleries, farms, parks and a concert, as well as attend local intergenerational events and participate in an eight-week digital literacy program.
Wellington North community development coordinator Mike Wilson outlined how the money was spent during a March 23 council meeting.
It funded a program called TechTours: Connecting Seniors Through Technology and Bus Adventures, led by Janice Benson.
The program included five bus trips, events with children, a series of “small town socials,” and a drop-in digital literacy education program offered in Arthur, Mount Forest, Harriston and Drayton.
A survey about the program garnered 82 responses from participants, with 99 per cent reporting satisfaction with program activities, 98% saying the program met their needs and interests and they would attend future events, and 93% reporting feeling more active, more engaged in their community and less socially isolated.
Bus trips
The bus trips took place in September, October and November and included visits to:
– Pootcorners alpaca farm and fibre studio in Palmerston;
– Violets in the Barn nursery in Palmerston;
– the Mount Forest Museum and Archives;
– Heritage Square in Hanover;
– Saugeen Municipal Airport;
– Wesley Bates Gallery and West Meadow Press in Clifford;
– Minto Arts Gallery in Harriston;
– Greenfield Cemetery in Arthur;
– Billy Bishop Museum in Owen Sound;
– Tom Thomson Art Gallery in Owen Sound;
– Harrison Park in Owen Sound;
– the Grey Bruce Singers’ Christmas concert in Hanover; and
– Pebbles Buffet in Durham.
Kids and seniors
Intergenerational events connected seniors with school children and summer campers for painting and baking workshops.
In August, local artist Laurie Aitken taught painting techniques to 42 seniors and 53 kids from Mount Forest and Damascus day camps (aged eight to 14). The kids and seniors also played board games together.
In October, seniors visited the Arthur community centre with students from Arthur Public School to learn about growing apples and to bake apple muffins together. There were 80 students and 56 seniors, including many of the kids’ grandparents.
Tech drop-ins
Seniors had opportunities to bring their devices and any questions along to 25 digital literacy drop-ins held from September to March, and at least 70 people attended.
The drop-ins were held at the Mount Forest sportsplex, the Arthur community centre, the Arthur library, and two long-term care/retirement homes.
Small town socials
The program included four “small town socials” between January and March – free events meant to promote community and socializing during the winter months. An informal afternoon of games and trivia was held, and there were two storytelling events with local historians Neil Aitken and Jeff McKee in Mount Forest and Arthur.
The MooreBand performed, drawing hundreds to the Mount Forest sportsplex. Township officials say “Attendees raved about the event, notably the music and the ability to socialize and dance, with many requesting it to become a regular event in the future.”
Future funding
The township has applied for the provincial seniors grant again, and should know by June if the application is successful, Wilson told council. Councillors Steve McCabe, Sherry Burke and Penny Renken praised the program.
“I think the staff did a wonderful job in securing the grant and ... I think it’s a wonderful program,” particularly the intergenerational aspects, which “gives children empathy for seniors and keeps seniors young being with young people,” Renken said.
She noted the township has offered tech workshops in the past which were successful, but she appreciates the drop-in format, as seniors were supported with specific challenges instead of being overloaded with information.
