Enhanced Programming at Abbotsford thanks to a Provincial Grant

By Julie Ireton

It doesn’t matter what age you are, one of the highlights of an Ottawa spring is cycling along the canal and taking in the tulips. Now, thanks to the Cycling without Age program at Abbotsford Seniors Centre, seniors who no longer cycle on their own, can get back on the bike path.

Thanks in part to the Provincial Senior Community Grant from the Ontario government, an adaptive, three-wheel bicycle is taking seniors out biking around the neighbourhood and over to the arboretum. The bike is piloted by a volunteer and there’s a bench for one or two passengers.

“They’ll be out biking as soon as the weather permits,” said Cassandra Ford, a program facilitator with Abbotsford. “The seniors enjoy chatting with the volunteer pilots, they get fresh air and socialization. The volunteers love it too.”

The Cycling without Age program runs between May and October.

Since last summer, the $24,000 Provincial Senior Community Grant has benefited more than the cyclists, as it’s enhanced some 20 different events and programs at the senior’s centre across from Lansdowne Park.

During the Lunar New Year in February, Chinese lanterns decorated the multi-purpose room as musicians and dancers helped celebrate Year of the Snake.

“The grant helped pay for the musicians and dancers and provide food,” said Ford, who works with the Day Away program for seniors with dementia.

“These kinds of events provide for a cultural sharing between communities,” she said.

On Valentine’s Day they hosted a friendship tea with an English tea service, and for St. Patrick’s Day, clients enjoyed Irish stew.

Grant brings in artists

In mid-March a three-hour Indigenous art workshop was held at the centre. An Indigenous facilitator showed several members ink on paper techniques which included decorating light switch plates.

“They turned out so well,” said Abbotsford member Carolyn Brule. “Everyone had a wonderfully diverse artistic expression, and everyone left there quite pleased with the art.”
Brule, who also volunteers at the centre, takes part in yoga classes and helps make teddy bears to sell at the Annual Craft Fair fundraiser in November, said she loves the support and activities at Abbotsford.

A little extra for ‘treats’

The grant has helped pay for musicians and treats for Abbotsford’s luncheon club and day away programs, including pancakes on Shrove Tuesday and Ottawa’s famous beavertails during Winterlude and monthly music programming that would otherwise not be affordable.

“The people in those programs are our most vulnerable seniors, so the grant money allows us to bring in more interesting programming,” said Jane Stallabrass, a program facilitator.

Money from the grant also helped Abbotsford celebrate its many volunteers at get-togethers at Christmas and in late March. Abbotsford volunteers are essential in the running of programming, fundraising and create such a positive and fun environment within the centre. Every person who uses Abbotsford programming and services will have benefited in some way with this generous grant.

“We like to thank them for everything they do,” said Stallabrass. “We hope to apply for the grant money again.” Every bit of extra funding goes a long way to enhancing the lives of seniors in Ottawa, whether as a member, volunteer and/or client this support enhances connectivity and people’s sense of community.

Abbotsford Seniors Centre of The Glebe Centre Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit, organization which includes a 254 bed long term care home. Find out more about our services and programming by dropping by 950 Bank Street (the old stone house) Mon – Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, telephoning 613-230-5730 or by checking out all The Glebe Centre facilities and seniors services on our website www.glebecentre.ca