QUEENS COUNTY – There’s a new face at the Queens County RCMP detachment.
Her name is Carole Hipwell, and she’s the senior safety coordinator. Hipwell began her job in November 2017 after being hired for the position the previous July.
“I love working with people. I really enjoy working with seniors,” said Hipwell about why she applied for the job.
A retired teacher, Hipwell taught in Liverpool, so she is also familiar with the area.
Hipwell’s job as senior safety coordinator is diverse, and her list of responsibilities is long. There’s a lot to the part-time position.
Now that people know Hipwell is in the community, a large part of her job is getting referrals. She gets about two or three calls each week from the RCMP referring people to Hipwell to check in on. She might also get calls with referrals from other community organizations.
“Often times, it’s a well being check,” she said.
There are also some people Hipwell checks in with regularly following a crisis.
“Seniors are often isolate and alone, so they like to be able to talk, and then it’s being able to filter through that and say, ‘How can I help you best, and what are your needs?’” explained Hipwell.
Another part of the job is putting on occasional workshops with community policing officer Const. Rob James, such as a workshop held recently at the Mersey Point Community Hall about domestic violence. She says a common presentation topic is frauds and scams, and the duo also held a workshop to review certain driving rules.
Hipwell describes her job as broad.
“It definitely requires more than two days a week,” she said. “It’s non-stop because even on the weekends, I’ll get phone calls.”
Having to get everything done on a part-time basis is one of the biggest challenges of the job. Hipwell is normally in the office at the beginning of the week – either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
And so far, she says, the job is going “great,” said Hipwell.
“I really enjoy it. I find it really gratifying to be able to help somebody to get the services or the supports they need.”
Anyone who needs to reach Carole Hipwell can call the Queens County RCMP detachment at 902-354-5721 or 902-350-0231. The senior safety coordinator can also be reached by email at [email protected].
Seniors’ fair coming up
A seniors’ fair is scheduled to take place at the Bester Plus in Liverpool from 1 to 3 p.m. on May 28.
Hipwell says there are at least 35 exhibitors.
The idea behind the fair is to show what services Queens County offers.
“Especially a lot of the continuing care and the palliative care, and those sorts of health resources, because of course we have such a doctor shortage,” Hipwell said. “And people just aren’t aware of what’s necessarily out there.”
In addition to exhibitors, the fair will also have prize draws, live music by Dick Henneberry and snacks provided by the Atlantic Superstore.
“I haven’t done it before because I wasn’t here, but it’s very well attended and people are asking about it,” said Hipwell.
