Below is a summary of some of our many activities. As Bay Seniors keeps expanding our services in our community, we are always looking for new volunteers to help. If you or a friend are interested about volunteering in the Bay, contact us using the information below.
Seniors Information Centre
The Seniors Information Centre helps find services for seniors and their families, including Seniors Association activities and programs, government services that help seniors save money and live safely in their own home.
Volunteer Role: Helping visitors find resources. Answering telephone and email inquiries. Training and support assistance is provided! Time commitment is 2 hours weekly on a Tuesday or Thursday from 10am to Noon or Noon to 2pm.
For more information email centre@bayseniors.ca or call the info centre at 902-820-3334.
Reuseable Bags
In an effort to reduce the use of plastic bags in our area, Bay Seniors has been working on collecting recycled materials to make cloth re-useable shopping bags. Once completed, the bags are marketed in St. Margaret’s Bay to promote the use of cloth bags and as a fundraiser for Bay Seniors.
Volunteer Role:
Volunteers participate on cutting days to cut out the bag pattern, assemble sewing kits and sew bags at home. We are especially in need of more volunteer sewers. You will be given written sewing instructions and a demonstration of how the bags are assembled.
This will be an ongoing project and we appreciate donations of bag fabric, cotton lining, thread and strapping.
For more information email reuseablebags@bayseniors.ca or call the info centre at 902-820-3334.
Grocery Bus
In partnership with BayRides, Seniors Association volunteers help participants purchase their groceries. Social time with tea and snacks is included. Participants are delivered back to their home.
Volunteer Roles:
・Help on the grocery bus run on Tuesday mornings from 9:15am – 11:15 am.
・Help with coordinating Grocery bus volunteer activities, 1-2 hours a week.
For more information email Heather Thompson at neighbours@bayseniors.ca or call the info centre at 902-820-3334.
NEW! Senior Safety Program
Create and work with a small team to establish a “Senior Safety Program” modelled on the already existing program in Lunenburg County (LSSP). The LSSP have made a commitment to support our endeavour through sharing their start up plan, grant application process and mentoring throughout.
Volunteer Role: Volunteers be able to dedicate considerable time and effort at the start up, eg. to interview and hire a qualified coordinating person. Once established a Board of Directors will be required to supervise, recommend and ensure the success of the program.
For more information email Heather Thompson at neighbours@bayseniors.ca or call the info centre at 902-820-3334.
Fitness & Exercise – Aerobics and Tai Chi
As the years go by, we tend to slow down, become stiff and be less active. It is important to remain as active as possible, and walking regularly is one good way to achieve this. A brisk walk for 30 minutes three times a week is a good start.
For the more determined, the Seniors Association provides TaiChi and Aerobics classes. TaiChi is on Monday mornings and Aerobics on Wednesday and Friday mornings. For those with reduced mobility, a chair aerobics class is available on Monday mornings.
The exercises are low impact and can be performed at the participant’s own level. A relaxed and welcoming atmosphere is part of all our classes.
For more information email fitness@bayseniors.ca or call the info centre at 902-820-3334.
St. Margaret’s Bay Housing Coalition
The Housing Coalition is a registered NS society with its own Board of Directors and membership representing many sectors in our community. The goal is to create multi-generational affordable housing for seniors, families and people with disabilities in an inclusive caring community. The startup of the Housing Coalition is supported by the Seniors Association.
Volunteer Roles:
・Leading or assisting with communications and social media activities.
・Assisting with preparation of housing needs surveys, financial planning and business plans.
・Liaison with community groups, government housing agencies and political representatives.
・Developing into leadership roles and joining the volunteer Board of Directors
For more information contact Nancy Gilbert at gilbertnancy@hotmail.com or 902-826-7050.
Bay Treasure Chest
The Seniors Association is one of the founding partners of the Bay Treasure Chest. Fourteen community volunteer groups and some 230 volunteers organize and support Treasure Chest activities and often work together to provide resources and services through all sectors of our community.
Volunteer Roles:
・Help with the Wednesday afternoon counts, once or twice a month.
・Partner with the Seniors Association leader to supervise 1 count a month.
For more information contact Fred Dolbel fred@bayseniors.ca or 902-823-1144.
NEW! Home Safety and Repair
A small team of Seniors Association and community members are interested in supporting seniors with the repair and maintenance of safety issues with their homes. There is a need for community organizations and businesses to help.
Volunteer Role: Team members will coordinate activities with trades people, government agencies and local not-for-profit groups. Seed funding is in place and volunteers from community organizations and businesses are needed to ensure the success of this program.
For more information email Heather Thompson at neighbours@bayseniors.ca or call the info centre at 902-820-3334.
Grant Writing
As your Seniors Association continues to expand the breadth and variety of services offered for seniors, their families and the community additional funding is required to keep new and old programs alive.
Volunteer Role: Join a small team who researches and writes grant applications.
For more information email centre@bayseniors.ca or call the info centre at 902-820-3334.
Monthly Meetings
Our monthly meetings are usually held at 2pm on the third Thursday each month (except July and August) at Shining Waters Marina. Everyone is welcome and we hear from, and talk with, experts who work with seniors and their families, as well as speakers on a wide variety of topics from gardening to healthy eating, housing, travel and local interests.
These public meetings are free and are a great opportunity to inform, socialize, meet friends and get to know what’s going on in the community. Light refreshments are served.
Volunteer Role: Help develop interesting topics. Helping at the reception desk with nametags, etc.
For more information email Michelle MacLean at programs@bayseniors.ca or call the info centre at 902-820-3334.
Social Committee
Social Committee volunteers discuss suggestions and topics for the monthly speakers series to make all the meetings meaningful and enjoyable.
For more information email Michelle MacLean at social@bayseniors.ca or call the info centre at 902-820-3334.
Book Club
The Bay Seniors Book Club meets at a member’s home once a month to discuss and share ideas around a featured book. The Halifax Public Library accumulates a selection of book kits.
Reading books helps keep the brain alert and the social aspect of the book club brings new friends together. Members appreciate varying points of view and responses and learn about each other’s tastes in literature and our experiences that form our opinions.
For more information email neighbours@bayseniors.ca or call the info centre at 902-820-3334.
Neighbours Helping Neighbours
Neighbours Helping Neighbours started out as an idea, that if neighbours were friendly with the people who lived near them, they would notice when a neighbour may need a little help. That help may be a friendly visit for a cup of tea, sharing some freshly baked goods or helping with snow removal from walkways.
For more information email Heather Thompson at neighbours@bayseniors.ca or call the info centre at 902-820-3334.
Bay Expo
The Bay Expo is a free, family-friendly community event hosted by the Seniors Association every Spring. Families and friends of all ages come out to see what is new each year – we have a Silent Auction in one big room and fun games, new to you jewelry, books and household items in the other room. Local businesses, home crafters and not for profit groups in St. Margaret’s Bay display their goods and services . Each year the Expo continues to grow and offer new additions.
Volunteer Roles:
・Planning and coordination for the May 2020 Expo (2-7 days leading up to May).
・Helping with setting up exhibits, meeting visitors (2 days in May).
For more information email expo@bayseniors.ca or call Carl Breckenridge at 902-820-2212.
Newsletter
The Seniors Association produces a monthly “Bay Seniors” newsletter which provides news of interest to seniors, identifies government and community resources, and informs members of upcoming Bay Seniors activities and community events.
Volunteer Role: Finding and writing interesting stories about local seniors’ activities.
For more information email info@bayseniors.ca or call the info centre at 902-820-3334.
Many seniors use Facebook to stay connected with family and friends. You can also find out more about local seniors and community activities by joining the Seniors Association Facebook.
Volunteer Role: Participating in Facebook posts about local seniors’ activities.
For more information email info@bayseniors.ca or call the info centre at 902-820-3334.
Photography
Volunteer Role: Assist with taking photographs of various Seniors Association events.
For more information contact Mike Maher at mike.maher@bellaliant.net or 902-444-0262.
Membership
Volunteer Role: Welcoming new members and updating membership records (using MS Excel).
For more information email centre@bayseniors.ca or call the info centre at 902-820-3334.
Computer Tech – Microsoft Excel, Bookkeeping (SAGE)
Volunteer Role: Help project leaders maintain participant and volunteer lists.
For more information contact Fred Dolbel at fred@bayseniors.ca or 902-823-1144.
Excursions
A summer or fall excursion is a chance for members to get together for a day and just “go somewhere”. Excursions are subsidized to be affordable for members to meet and engage with others, enjoy and remember pieces of Nova Scotia’s rich history and culture offerings. Bus transport allows folks to just relax and enjoy themselves.
Volunteer Role: Asking members for excursions ideas, coordinating the 2020 excursions.
For more information email centre@bayseniors.ca or call the info centre at 902-820-3334.
“How can I help? I’ll do anything”
Every once in a while someone comes along and says “I’ll do anything”. There are so many neat things going on in our community we’ll help you find something that is fun and interesting!
Drop in to the Information Centre between 10am to 2pm Tuesday or Thursday, call us at 902-820-3334 or email centre@bayseniors.ca.
Your Seniors Association encourages members and friends to share our skills and life experiences by volunteering for association projects and activities. If you have a favourite skill or interest to pursue, please contact us at volunteer@bayseniors.ca or call 902-820-3334.
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