According to the Times Colonist “ A program that helps Sikh seniors who might otherwise feel isolated has received a $30,000 boost from a Victoria Foundation grant.
Randie Johal, spokesperson the Khalsa Diwan Society of Victoria, said the need for such a program became apparent when the COVID-19 pandemic left many of the seniors who attend the Sikh Temple on Topaz Avenue feeling isolated.
“So here was an opportunity with the Victoria Foundation to be able to engage with our community to help them get through all this,” Johal said. “We were able to create a seniors’ group and provided them with a monthly lunch.”
The lunch is actually a “lunch-and-learn” event that includes helpful presentations, she said. A recent session featuring members of the West Shore RCMP’s Mental Health Unit talking about social isolation attracted 120 seniors.
Johal said the talk delved into how focusing on iPads and computers can contribute to feelings of isolation, because they often keep people from picking up the phone and having a conversation.
Another lunch-and-learn gathering featured a certified laughter-yoga coach, she said. “This fellow came in and had everybody standing up and moving their arms, and he would tell them to laugh from their belly,” Johal said. “It was just a really cool thing.”
There have also been movie nights, including one where the society rented the University of Victoria’s Cinecenta theatre. More than 1oo seniors came to the showing, Johal said.
Another popular outing was a bus trip to Salt Spring Island — 60 of the 69 seniors who took part had never been to Salt Spring before. The itinerary included a visit to Salt Spring Island Cheese, where the seniors were treated to plenty of samples, and a stop at the farmer’s market.
She said the program also has a partnership with Get Growing, Victoria!, a City of Victoria initiative that distributes seedlings and soil-building material to help people grow their own food.
“We do it with the seniors,” she said. “We brought in a woman to explain how to do composting.”
Other presentations for the seniors have included sessions on how to avoid fraud, with advice from both West Shore RCMP and Victoria police.
“We try to do things where we stretch the dollars that we receive and people benefit mentally, physically and with meals and talking,” Johal said. “We’re very grateful to the Victoria Foundation.”
Beyond the seniors’ program, Johal said the society strives to be involved in the community and maintains a strong connection with the Mustard Seed Food Bank.
“Any of our leftover food from any event, whether it’s a seniors’ lunch or a Sunday service, we share with the Mustard Seed,” she said. “So they come the next day and pick up the food.”
Johal said that since the food can be curry and other spicy dishes, Mustard Seed volunteers will make it into something like a soup that is not as intensely flavoured.
The temple facility is also made available to groups like Neighbourhood Watch.
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