Free wellness kits available for seniors

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This article was published 26/05/2020 (1994 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Spence Neighbourhood Association (SNA) is giving out free wellness kits for seniors in the area.

The SNA started delivering the 55+ Wellbeing Kits on April 30. The kits contain art and craft supplies from ArtsJunktion and Artbeat Studio, hand sanitizers, soaps, shampoos, health and COVID-19 resources and information provided by Downtown Seniors Resource Finder and various other goodies from businesses in the area.

The kits also come with some surprise goodies that change week-to-week. The kits are free and are funded by donations from The Winnipeg Foundation, HelpAge Canada and local businesses.

Chance Dupuis is the community wellbeing coordinator for the SNA and Central Neighbourhoods Winnipeg. He said the donations have really helped a lot of seniors deal with social isolation.

“We’ve had a lot of really positive feedback, we’re a little overwhelmed actually. A lot of people commented that it’s nice to have art kits included. People who might not have attended the program due to (mental health issues), are excited because they can still interact with art,” Dupuis said. “A lot of (seniors) are excited that there’s still programming and it’s free. A lot of seniors live on a fixed income, so having this makes a huge difference (in) their day-to-day lives.”

Dupuis said they originally could only hand out 50 kits, but now have the capacity to create 100 kits or more. The program has given out 71 kits so far.

SNA has volunteers who can deliver the kits to a senior, dropping it off in front of a home, or working something out to bring it to an apartment. Delivery drivers will maintain six feet of distance and are able to perform a contactless delivery.

Dupuis said he was inspired to start this program by ArtsJunktion, which started handing out free art supplies. He sent out a few emails to the Downtown Seniors Resource Finder, which connected him with other organizations willing to step up.

Dupuis said it’s important to help seniors battle social isolation.

“A lot of seniors (were) already living in isolation, especially in the inner city. The things they used to do, go shopping, joining our art programming … due to (COVID-19) it’s just not possible,” Dupuis said. “We always said ‘if we had the resources, we would bring the programming to them.’ That’s what we’re doing now.”

Dupuis said they’re planning to continue the donations until July or longer.

Seniors can sign up to receive a kit by contacting him at Chance@spenceneighbourhood.org or calling 204-451-2455.