REDVERS - Senior support sessions began as a collaboration between the Town of Redvers and the Redvers Public Library.
“The town found a grant for senior programming through Saskatchewan Senior Mechanism. With the help of the town administration, we organized a 12-week senior support program in 2024,” said Soroka. With the help of the grant, they were able to purchase a laptop and projector to help facilitate the program and offer free transit to seniors in town attending the library.
Each week is focused on a different topic and brings in different facilitators.
“For example, the Carlyle RCMP attended to share information on scam awareness. We had several local professionals participate and share information including financial advice for retirement, physical health and nutrition,” said Soroka.
“As the librarian, I facilitated several sessions on technology including using smartphones and email,” continued Soroka. “At the end of the 12-week program, there were many requests to continue the program. I continued to offer monthly senior tech support programming until I was awarded a $600 grant through the Community Initiatives Fund for 2025 to aid the continuation of senior support sessions on a monthly basis,”
Soroka says she feels the senior support sessions fill a need in the community.
“Senior citizens tend to be an underserved demographic in rural areas with several barriers to overcome. With the senior support program, we are able to provide opportunities for socializing as well as free access to information and education on topics that are quickly changing like technology. It is wonderful to see our library being utilized by seniors as a space to socialize and learn,” said Soroka.
Every session is held on the last Thursday of every month for those 55 and over, from 10-11 a.m.
Soroka notes that they are happy to allow younger adults to attend if they feel the session will be beneficial.
The Redvers Public Library offers sessions on various topics.
“We typically have a very engaged group who are actively listening and ask great questions,” said Soroka. “Our facilitators always comment that the event is a positive experience for them.”
Soroka chooses the monthly topics based on feedback from the group and her observations.
“Now and then we get off topic and come across questions or ideas that would make a great topic for a future session,” said Soroka.
On March 27th, the Redvers Library will have Stephen Branigan from Meighen Haddad LLP in to discuss estate planning and administration.
Then for April 24, they arranged a collaboration with the Envision Counselling and Support Centre to discuss mental health. This session will provide education on mental health as well as a workshop and question-and-answer session.
“We are very fortunate to have local businesses and organizations contribute to our program,” said Soroka.
This is a drop-in program. The only thing required is signing up in advance if the participants would like to utilize the free transit by calling the Town of Redvers' office.
The senior support sessions have become so popular that Soroka is planning the sessions three to four months in advance.
“This allows me some flexibility to add programs when new ideas are suggested by the participants or if I notice a need for a topic,” said Soroka.
The CIF grant will primarily cover transit costs and supplies such as ink/paper for programming. Any seniors 55-plus or adults with disabilities who are attending the senior support program at the library are eligible for free roundtrip transit.
For those interested, the library monthly program calendar is posted online at the Redvers Public Library's Facebook page, on the Â鶹´«Ã½AVeast Regional Library website and on local bulletin boards.
