Submission ID 130419
| Issue/Objective | Loneliness and social isolation represent a global public health challenge that limits access to protective social conditions for health, disproportionately affecting older adults, caregivers, youth, and individuals facing social, economic, or displacement‑related inequities across urban, rural, and mixed contexts. A low barrier social prescription that provides sustained human connection can improve individual wellbeing, strengthen community resilience, and reduce pressure on formal services by addressing social needs early. Friendly Calls is a national Canadian Red Cross program delivering an evidence based, culturally safe, telephone based social prescription for adults experiencing loneliness or social isolation. Building on over two decades of regional delivery and expanding nationally in 2023, the program supports protective social connection, integrated community referrals, and complements health and social care systems. As Canada's largest nationally accessible social connection social prescription, Friendly Calls offers equity driven, community centred insights with international relevance, including adaptation by the Polish Red Cross to support people displaced from Ukraine. |
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| Methodology/Approach | A two‑year analysis (2024-2025) of participant impact survey data assessed outcomes related to loneliness, mental and physical well-being, perceived safety, coping, resilience, and overall program experience. Quantitative indicators incorporated validated measures of social isolation and well-being, while open‑ended participant feedback explored experiences of trust, cultural safety, relational connection, and perceived impact. Descriptive statistics examined year‑over‑year trends within a non‑clinical, relationship‑based model emphasizing consistency, accessibility, and community integration. |
| Results | Participant satisfaction remained high across both years (2024: 4.65/5; 2025: 4.55/5). Participants reported meaningful reductions in loneliness (2024: 3.97; 2025: 3.83), alongside stable improvements in mental well-being (2024: 2.43; 2025: 2.46). Indicators related to perceived safety, coping, and resilience remained positive, including among individuals experiencing complex life circumstances and systemic barriers. Social isolation outcomes remained stable or improved over time, suggesting the protective effects of sustained relational support. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Friendly Calls demonstrates equity in action by improving access to protective social conditions for health through a scalable, adaptable social prescription. Findings highlight the value of relationship‑based social interventions in strengthening individual and community resilience, while offering a feasible upstream contribution to system resilience within integrated and fragmented care environments. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Asha Croggon Canadian Red Cross Renjini Devaki Canadian Red Cross |
