Tribury Friendly Visitors

Tribury Friendly Visitors is a volunteer program designed to help elders who live alone in Southbury, Middlebury and Woodbury. The program's objective is to reach out to those age 60 or older who have few contacts or are feeling lonely and isolated.

Carefully screened and trained volunteers are matched with their older clients who then enjoy the benefits of regular visits and phone calls from a caring friend. Friendly Visitors offer not only companionship but also help their clients re-establish the social interactions of daily living.

Following are examples of activities a Friendly Visitor might enjoy with their client:

Read aloud
Chat over tea
Go for a walk
Play a game
Write a letter
Be a good listener

Become a Friendly Visitor

Friendly Visitors are people who feel enriched by the memories and wisdom that an older person has to share. They enjoy listening and have the time to make regular visits and phone calls. They do not, however, function as visiting nurses, housekeepers or health care workers.

Anyone who would like to become a Friendly Visitor must complete an application from the Volunteer Coordinator. The Coordinator will then interview the applicant about their interests and hobbies to ensure a compatible match with the person they visit. Applicants are also required to have a background and police check. They will then attend a training class with other Friendly Visitors.

When training is complete, the Volunteer Coordinator will match the new Friendly Visitor with a client and accompany the new volunteer on the first visit. The Volunteer Coordinator will continue to be available to discuss questions or concerns that may arise.

Request a Friendly Visitor

When someone requests a Friendly Visitor, the Volunteer Coordinator will ask them about their interests and hobbies, the best time for someone to visit and also answer any questions. Once a suitable match is found, the Volunteer Coordinator will introduce the new Friendly Visitor to the elder person and continue to be accessible by telephone in case the client has something they wish to discuss.

Anyone who would enjoy having someone visit, who meets the age qualification and who lives in the Tribury area should contact the Volunteer Coordinator. Family members, friends or healthcare providers who wish to refer someone to the program should call the Volunteer Coordinator for more information. They may also download and complete a Tribury Friendly Visitors Client Referral Form and send it directly to the address listed on the form.

For more about Tribury Friendly Visitors, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at the Southbury Town Hall, call Elder Services at (203) 575-4268 or email Elder [at] NewOpportunitiesInc [dot] org