The Seniors Services Society is launching a new program that's the first of its kind in New Westminster.
The society is getting set to launch the new AIRS program later this month, but volunteers are still needed for the initiative.
"The whole idea is it is a program run by seniors for seniors - AIRS stands for Assistance Information and Referral Service for seniors by seniors," said Sanjay Gulati, the society's support services manager. "It's not a new thing. AIRS is run in other cities through various agencies."
The program may not be new, but it's new in the Royal City.
"It is not something unique - in New West, it is unique," Gulati said. "It's not being offered anywhere in New West."
With more than 8,000 seniors over the age of 55 living in New Westminster, volunteers help support the work done by the Seniors Services Society's staff.
"As a nonprofit, our programs are run with limited staff," Gulati explained. "If there is help with volunteers, it eases the staff time to help those people more." The AIRS program is operated as a phone-in service in some communities, but it will be a walk-in service in New Westminster.
"The reason is it frees up staff time to deal with emergency cases, rather than non-emergency cases," Gulati said.
Under the AIRS program, volunteers would be the first contact seniors encounter when seeking information at the society. They would provide clients with information being sought, or would refer their inquiries to trained staff if their needs are beyond what can be provided by volunteers.
"The volunteers would basically act as a screening - a first point of call," Gulati said.
Volunteers would help seniors with forms, and information about services and referrals. This could include applying for Old Age Security, and providing information about housing or community education programs.
"Forms are becoming a big issue," Gulati said. "People are inundated with information. They just don't know where to go."
Volunteers are required to be at least 50 years of age, able to speak, read and understand English, able to print legibly, able to get to the society's office on Carnarvon Street independently and have basic computer skills. Volunteers must have a criminal record check and reference checks.
Training for volunteers took place on Oct. 23 and 24.
"At the moment, our target is to launch the program on Oct. 29," Gulati said. "We don't know what the uptake service will be."
While it's unknown how many will make use of the service, the plan is to have two shifts Monday to Friday - 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. People will be helped on a first-come first-served basis.
After taking part in the two-day orientation and training session, volunteers must commit to a minimum of one shift per month. The society's goal is to have 20 volunteers in its database, but many volunteers are still needed for the AIRS program.
