An International Movement to Reduce Loneliness and Isolation among Older Adults
The StoryBridge Network is thrilled to collaborate with Life Story Club (lifestoryclub.org) to bring a unique style of story-based social support to seniors across Manitoba.
Life Story Club is a New York-based nonprofit that organizes small social clubs for older adults to share life stories, foster connections, and enhance a sense of belonging and purpose.
By collaborating with Life Story Club through the Life Story Club Working Group, StoryBridge benefits from guidance and program materials, which it uses to design and deliver social gatherings adapted to the needs of older adults in Manitoba.
The StoryBridge Life Story Club uses the social prescription model alongside its trauma-sensitive storytelling facilitation practices to create welcoming in-person and virtual spaces where adults 65+ can connect, build new friendships, and actively support one another to address the growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation.
How It Works
Each Fall, Winter, and Spring, we bring together groups of 8–12 people aged 65+ to share life stories in a multi-week social club.
Participants are invited to join a club based on their geographical region. Clubs are ongoing, with new members accepted every September, January, and April.
Club meetings are guided by a trained facilitator. To spark conversation, the meeting facilitator provides two weekly storytelling prompts that explore different aspects of life—from childhood and family history to work and life lessons. These prompts can be reflective, funny, or sentimental. They are shared a day in advance via email or phone, so club members have time to think about the theme. There’s no need to rehearse or prepare a story in advance. We also love incorporating new ideas, so members are always welcome to suggest a story prompt.
Privacy and Consent
Participants' privacy is our priority.
Please note that we do not record these sessions; stories are shared orally and exist only within the warmth of our circle. Consent to share is ongoing, meaning members always choose what to tell and when to pass. At StoryBridge, participants' stories—and their privacy—are always respected.
How to Join a Club
Our Spring 2026 Downtown Life Story Club Pilot is now over. We are currently finalizing details for the Fall 2026 StoryBridge Life Story Club. Once club locations and details are confirmed, we will open registration.
Sign up for our e-newsletter for new club information and registration updates.
Make a Donation
StoryBridge Life Story Club is a free community program offered by The StoryBridge Network as part of its contribution to the social prescribing paradigm. You can learn more about the social prescribing model in this article: Social Prescribing Storytelling for Seniors.
You can help us maintain this program by donating to The StoryBridge Network.