A landmark is approaching for Community Care Northumberland (CCN) on August 22, as it will celebrate its 35th anniversary.
The press release did not includes news of any specific observances, but does reiterate its continuing need for volunteers as it continues to provide essential programs and services to Northumberland County residents.
CCN was formed through the amalgamation of local agencies in Cobourg, Port Hope, Colborne, Brighton and Campbellford to provide community support services that would help people live well at home with the assistance of screened and trained volunteers.
Another integration came in 2010, as two more organizations merged with CCN – Hospice Northumberland Lakeshore and Palliative Care Campbellford. That's when CCN began offering hospice services to complement community support services being provided.
The story was shared last week at the dedication of the Memorial Walkway at Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre, of the Palliative Care Community Team being formed in 2017 to offer clinical navigation, supportive care, and grief and bereavement counselling as well as visiting hospice services. It was later that same year that approval came to build the Northumberland Hospice Care Centre, later named Ed's House after its single biggest donor (the late Ed Lorenz, whose gift of $1.5-million surpassed even the government contribution to the project).
The first residents were admitted to Ed's House in September 2020 for end-of-life palliative care. Ed's House has six resident suites available for use, with four more suites roughed in for future expansion.
A new partnership came along in 2020, when CCN joined forces with the Ontario Health Team of Northumberland to launch WrapAround for Older Adults. This program matches trained peer-support facilitators with older adults in support of those experiencing persistent complex needs and conditions (and their caregivers).
Over the past year, CCN has completed 32,000 essential drives for Northumberland clients, provided 15,398 social and safety calls, and delivered 40,421 nutritious meals.
Hospice volunteers and staff have supported 531 clients in the community and some 150 residents and their families at Ed's House.
Their Brokered Worker program assisted almost 500 home-help and -maintenance clients.
The WrapAround program has held six successful participants transition out of the program. It currently has sic active participants and another 10 ready to be matched with volunteer facilitators.
With an aging population and an increased desire on the part of individuals to stay in their homes longer, CCN's service needs are increasing. In the past year (April 2022 through March 2023), the agency has received 362 new referrals for programs and services, 72% of them from those aged 65 and older.
To support these needs, CCN is calling for individuals who have time to give to their community – you can make a positive impact for as little as one hour per week.
“We know at Community Care Northumberland that we couldn't deliver our programs and services without our volunteers,” Volunteer Recruitment Co-ordinator Colleen Williams said in the announcement.
“Volunteering also provides a great opportunity to gie back to your community while meeting new friends and learning new skills. Connect with me to check out our website or to learn about a volunteer opportunity best suited for you.”
Current volunteer needs include:
Meals On Wheels in Trent Hills, Brighton and Port Hope
Friendly Visitors in Trent Hills, Brighton and Cobourg
Transportation Drivers in Trent Hills and Brighton
Hospice Volunteers county-wide
WrapAround Facilitators county-wide
For more information, contact Williams at c.williams@commcare.ca or 905-375-7356, or visit the website to fill out an on-line application at www.commcare.ca
