Portside Reach Out
Free Telephone Connection and Wellness Support
Sometimes, a friendly phone call can make a meaningful difference.
Portside Reach Out is a free community telephone support program offered through Portside ART Institute. The program provides scheduled phone calls for individuals who would benefit from companionship, encouragement, wellness reminders, or simply having someone to talk with.
Our goal is to help people feel remembered, connected, and supported in their everyday lives.
What Does Portside Reach Out Offer?
Depending on availability, participants may receive scheduled telephone calls daily, weekly, or at another agreed-upon frequency.
Calls may include:
- Friendly conversation
- Social connection and companionship
- Support with loneliness or isolation
- General wellness check-ins
- Encouragement and positive connection
- Reminders to drink water, eat, rest, or complete a wellness activity
- Medication reminders, without providing medical advice
- Encouragement to attend appointments
- Conversation about hobbies, interests, family, pets, and everyday life
- Assistance identifying community resources when appropriate
Who Is Portside Reach Out For?
Portside Reach Out may be helpful for individuals who:
- Live alone or experience loneliness
- Have limited opportunities for social interaction
- Would appreciate regular human connection
- Benefit from gentle wellness reminders
- Are adjusting to a life transition
- Would like encouragement and friendly conversation
- Want to feel more connected to their community
Participants must be able to safely participate in a scheduled telephone conversation.
Who Makes the Calls?
Calls may be provided by:
- Trained Portside community volunteers
- Portside students participating in approved learning placements
- Portside staff or designated support personnel
Volunteers and students receive training in supportive communication, confidentiality, boundaries, documentation, and safety procedures.
What Portside Reach Out Is Not
Portside Reach Out is a community connection program. It is not:
- An emergency service
- A crisis line
- A psychotherapy or counselling service
- A medical or nursing service
- A medication administration service
- A substitute for professional or emergency care
If you are experiencing an emergency or believe that you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact emergency services.
How It Works
- Complete the online registration form.
- A Portside Reach Out Coordinator reviews your request.
- We contact you to discuss your preferred call schedule.
- A call schedule is arranged when appropriate.
- You receive friendly, scheduled calls from an approved Portside volunteer, student, or staff member.
Call availability depends on volunteer and student schedules. Completing the registration form does not guarantee that calls can begin immediately.
Our Approach
Portside Reach Out is based on kindness, respect, dignity, and human connection.
You do not need to have a particular diagnosis or be in counselling to participate. You simply need to want a friendly, supportive connection.
A phone call may not change everything-but it may help someone feel less alone today.
Register for Portside Reach Out
Portside Reach Out is a free telephone connection program for individuals who would appreciate friendly conversation, companionship, encouragement, or wellness reminders.
Please complete the registration form below. A member of our team will review your information and contact you to discuss availability and scheduling.
Please remember that Portside Reach Out is not an emergency, crisis, counselling, medical, or nursing service.
