Neighbour-to-Neighbour (N2N) 2.0

What is N2N 2.0?

Neighbour-to-Neighbour (N2N) 2.0 is the result of an awarded Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grant to enhance Friendly Visiting Programming for isolated seniors across three agencies in the Toronto Downtown area. The Neighbourhood Group (TNG), with partners Waterfront Neighbourhood Center (WNC) and West Neighbourhood House (WNH) built in appointment accompaniment for senior clients by partnering with the Community Access Program (CAP) c/o Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC).

N2N works with socially isolated seniors who are interested in building new relationships with others. To learn more click here to visit our website.

Our Vision: A Toronto Downtown Core where all older adults engage with services, are supported and feel valued.

Our Mission: Establish Friendly Visiting with built-in accompaniment referral for appointments as an essential service where isolated older adults create stronger community connections.

Our Values RECIPE: Respect, Equity, Community, Innovation, Passion, Efficiency

Who do we support?

We support seniors who are interested in building new relationships with others. In our catchment area, there are 8,090 Seniors 65+ living alone. About 16% of seniors experience social isolation with almost 25% of seniors’ wishing for more social participation. Social isolation can be extremely painful. Over 2,000 seniors in our catchment area may live at risk of mental health vulnerabilities related to the number and quality of their social interactions.

Click here to view our catchment area.

What is social isolation?

Social isolation is defined as a lack of rewarding social relationships; lacking social contact, support, and a sense of belonging.

How does social isolation affect seniors?

Research shows that people who have a strong social group live longer, healthier lives. They are sick less often and recover from illness more quickly. Social isolation can negatively affect the overall health and wellbeing of an individual.

Older adults are at a greater risk because of many losses like: loss of social group, health and physical issues, loss of social role (e.g. employment, hobby), loss of partner and other contributing factors. Seniors from minority social groups, such as immigrants, members of the queer community or people with disabilities are more likely to be isolated.

What can you do?

Join us! We are seeking volunteers to support the wellbeing of our valued seniors. N2N 2.0 volunteers provide meaningful social connection by visiting and doing activities with our clients. These Friendly Visitors will spend 1-2 hours a week communicating and visiting with their match. We have a variety of volunteer opportunities that can develop skills in the following areas: Social Services, Gerontology, Community Development, Program Development, Documentation, Interpersonal Communications and more.

Don’t have any time?

Donate to our program! We welcome specific donations to the Neighbour-to-Neighbour (N2N) 2.0 through The Neighbourhood Group charitable donations.

Get in touch with us by emailing n2n@waterfrontnc.ca or calling 416-392-1509 x 326.