Voices of Burnaby Seniors Task Force

Membership

VOBS membership is open to Burnaby seniors willing to attend bi-monthly general meetings and work on one of the working groups which meet outside of the general meetings. Having a large proportion of seniors on the task force from the local community is critical to our success.

Membership is also open to representatives of community agencies and organizations serving Burnaby seniors in a resource and/or advisory role. They provide a professional perspective and are important in keeping the task force informed of the existence and status of present services and programs. They are not voting members.

Background

In 2007 with funding from the federal New Horizons for Seniors Program and support from Burnaby Seniors Interagency Society, VOBS conducted a comprehensive survey of Burnaby seniors. Six hundred fifty-nine people responded to the survey, providing information about their needs, practices and preferences in the areas of housing, transportation, support services, healthy living and social connections.

Results are in a report called “Voices of Burnaby Seniors – A Survey of Burnaby Citizens 55 years and Older.” (available at Burnaby Community Connections)

With funding from the United Way of the Lower Mainland in May 2008, VOBS hired a coordinator to guide and assist us in developing an Action Plan that would address the concerns that came to light in the survey. Three working groups (one with two subcommittees) were formed.

1. Transportation and the Built Environment
2. Housing
3. Healthy Living: Outreach Subcommittee and Community Support and Awareness Subcommittee

Since the Fall of 2008, the working groups have been busy meeting with focus groups and representatives of organizations working in similar areas, liaising with community groups, and launching projects.

Current VOBS Projects

Transportation and the Built Environment

• With funding from the United Way, we conducted a study to investigate whether or not a shuttle bus would be feasible in Burnaby. We determined that it would be a welcome service, and we named our project the Door2Door Shuttle Bus. This project is a work in progress at this time as we explore the procurement of the part time use of a bus, and join forces with another organization to explore funding opportunities.
• The federal New Horizons Program, has granted VOBS funding to develop a transportation education program, originally called IST (Introducing Seniors to Transit). Now that we are working closely with TransLink to deliver this program, we have changed the name to Travel Smart for Seniors. Citizens who are not familiar with using Translink (buses, Skytrain and Seabus) will learn what they need to know to feel safe and confident when using the transit system.
• We are engaging seniors as presenters of Travel Smart for Seniors. They will be involved in developing, producing and presenting seniors-focused transit training sessions and materials. The seniors will be trained to teach other seniors how to use the system with informed confidence. In developing this program, we hope to increase seniors’ independence and access to community connections, thus reducing risk of isolation.
• We expect to present the Travel Smart workshops in June, 2011. Detailed information will be provided on this website closer to the dates.
• With funding from the Union of B.C. Municipalities, VOBS and the City of Burnaby undertook a Pedestrian Audit of the Edmonds shopping area, an part of the city with a significant population of seniors and people with mobility challenges. The “auditors” (seniors and others with mobility issues and City Planning staff) noted such factors as uneven pavement, presence and condition of sidewalks, timing of lights, presence of benches, location and condition of bus shelters, lighting, etc. This audit information provided valuable information for the use of the City’s Planning Department.
• On an ongoing basis, we are looking for and recruiting volunteer drivers to provide seniors with personalized door-to-door transportation to medical appointments through Burnaby Connections and social programs through Citizens Support Services.

Housing

• We have enlisted the help of South Vancouver Neighborhood House to make available Langara College students who are willing to help seniors with yard and housework at a modest hourly fee. This service is being advertised in the 2010 Burnaby Senior Citizens’ Telephone Book. The telephone book is available at Libraries and Senior Centres.
• At the present time, we are not involved in any housing projects. We are continually on the lookout for any actions or initiatives that VOBS could support or undertake to promote the development of reasonable, affordable housing for seniors.

Healthy Living: Outreach

• With United Way Funding and in partnership with South Burnaby Neighborhood House, we hired a Seniors Outreach Worker whose role is to help make isolated or at risk seniors aware of existing services and programs and, if they wish, to help them get connected to appropriate community resources.
• The Outreach Worker is also training teams of Ambassadors who will identify and inform the Outreach Worker of seniors who may be in need of such help. The Ambassadors, among whom approximately fifteen languages are spoken, also provide contact information for the many organizations who provide services. Many of our Ambassadors will also be involved in our Travel Smart program.

Healthy Living: Community Support and Awareness

• In partnership with Burnaby Community Connections, we have developed Community Resource Cards for seniors to be distributed by the Outreach Worker, Ambassadors, VOBS members and anyone who has contact with seniors. The cards provide telephone numbers for many community resources.
• We are also working to increase community awareness of the VOBS Task Force, and to increase our numbers. We encourage seniors who want to work to make a difference in their community to join us.