The Telecare Distress Line of Greater Simcoe is hosting a summer fundraiser to cover its annual operational expenses.
In Orillia, Telecare was established in 1979, but it has been a nationwide service since the 1960s. While call responders aren't therapists or crisis workers, they can be a listening ear for someone in need.
"It's a space where people can just pick up a phone and talk to someone and it doesn't have to be about anything specific," executive director Kate Henderson told OrilliaMatters. "If you're experiencing distress, grief, isolation or loneliness, it can be just like a self-serve reassurance line."
She says seniors, and people with chronic health conditions or other barriers to participating physically in society can call throughout the day.
"We connect people to someone who cares before it reaches the point of crisis or emergency," she said. "If we can capture people in the distress stage, or even before distress, we can create a safer community for everyone."
The Telecare Distress Line of Greater Simcoe has a team of 30 to 40 people in its network. Henderson says the work is "personal" for many of the team members.
"A lot of the volunteers have had personal experiences themselves, or a loved one, either with mental health or grief," she said. "They say it would have made a huge difference if they had just been able to pick up a phone and talk to someone."
Henderson will be looking for new recruits in the fall. Those interested in volunteering can click here for more information.
The Sponsor a Line summer fundraiser aims to raise $9,000 for the distress line service.
"We'd love to grow as an organization while all the calls are answered by volunteers," Henderson said. "To grow our volunteer team, we need more staffing to provide great training, supervision and support."
Reaching the $9,000 goal would allow Telecare to provide more outreach in the community, suicide awareness training, and training to make volunteers more comfortable talking about suicide and recognizing the signs someone might be considering it.
"There's just so much more potential," Henderson said. "We are trying to make a more connected and empathetic community where people can really support each other."
More information about the Telecare Distress Line of Greater Simcoe, including how to donate to the fundraiser, can be found here.
