Vanquishing the isolation

In an increasingly chaotic and complex world, loneliness and isolation have become all too common in many communities. For many seniors, it can be particularly challenging to find a place to comfortably and easily belong.

The solution need not be complicated. In fact, a few caring volunteers can make all the difference in the world. Three women have stepped up to help a community experiencing isolation.

Denise MacRae from St. Paul’s Anglican Church, along with Cathy Campbell and Pat Stewart, both from St. Matthews Anglican Church, were well acquainted with the needs of community members. They consulted with drop-in participants from previous groups and met with Anglican partners to see how they could move forward with a space at West End Commons, in an area they all know and love.

“It was decided that we focus on seniors. Their wish was to have a place to meet and visit and see each other. And so it began,” MacRae explained, about the group that meets for a few hours at the Commons on McGee Street every Monday afternoon.

“This is what churches are supposed to do,” said 72-year-old MacRae, one of the three people who spearheaded the group known as the St. Matthews St. Paul’s Seniors’ Group, for people aged 55 and over.

MacRae has been an active member of the Anglican church all her life. She’s a member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Fort Garry and has always been interested in community outreach. An elementary school teacher for 29 years, she worked in the inner city and volunteered for decades at the St. Matthews Maryland community ministry before it became West End Commons.

“There’s so much need for love and kindness in the world right now,” said MacRae, now retired. “It’s a pleasure to be able to do this. I’m very privileged.

“It’s the place where my bucket is filled,” she said about the West End Seniors’ Group, which has been running consistently for more than three years.

“When we got it started, we could only afford rent for three Mondays. We couldn’t even afford rent. We had no grant money,” she explained about the basement space, with its rent of $15 per hour.

“The rent for the space is $45 per week. It’s not huge money, but it is huge money if you don’t have it.”

St. Matthews Church helped out with money from an outreach fund, and volunteers covered the costs to keep it going.

With the three women running it, and others eventually coming around to help out, the seniors group began to take on a life of its own. The meetings offer a warm and welcoming atmosphere, serving coffee, tea, and sweets, with occasional other snacks such as cheese and crackers.

“All are donations — food and everything,” said MacRae. “For the first year, it was basically the three of us supplying everything. I put in a request at St. Paul’s Church and asked if any businesses were interested in sponsoring a month’s rent.

“St. Paul’s is an extremely generous parish and we got enough for rent,” MacRae continued. We wanted to do Indigenous beading. We wanted to play games and cards. There’s cribbage every week. We have Scrabble every time. One year at Christmas, I made cookies that (participants) iced…. They’re such wonderful people, so appreciative. Last year they wanted a Halloween party, then they decided they wanted a Christmas dinner. It was instantaneous. We cooked three turkeys and a ham.”

The group regularly welcomes between 15 and 20 people, but MacRae said they’ve sometimes had up to 30. Members include all genders and cultures, with most being area residents.

The group has become its own community of support, sharing resources and stories. Before the group existed there was really no place to get together.

“There was nothing — just seniors living alone,” said MacRae, who has had many years’ experience volunteering with people in the West End neighbourhood.

When one of the group members became ill and had to be hospitalized, others got together to buy him a housecoat and slippers, and everyone signed a card. With a recent fire in the area, the group was asked if they could pray for those affected. Prayers were eagerly and freely offered, with concern and care for everyone.

The group acts primarily as a casual social setting in which to create connection and friendship, but once in a while a guest is brought in speak about various topics, including computer and telephone safety, and where and how to access health care.

Cooking classes are being arranged and participants will be able to take food home.

“I love these people — they’re kind of my people,” said MacRae.

“They love coming — they come earlier and earlier. Lots of them wait until the bitter end to go home. They very much appreciate a place to be together.”

The group welcomes volunteers and monetary donations and appreciates sponsorships from businesses willing to contribute food.

To learn more, contact St. Matthews Anglican Church (204-774-1846) or St. Paul’s Anglican Church (204-475-7549).

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca