The communities of Bouchie Lake / Milburn Lake and Ten Mile Lake / Moose Heights have completed Phase 1 of the Healthy Community Project focused on collaboration, identifying barriers, and proposing solutions to how our communities can be healthier. This project was incredibly successful and it was great to get together with residents to brain storm, share ideas, and bring forth ideas as to how barriers could be removed. What was interesting was the similarities between the two communities and the cross over between the barriers that were identified. The final report has now been submitted to the BC Healthy Communities and the Cariboo Regional District and can be viewed via the links below.
The three community health concerns that were identified as the top three from the workshops are:
Transportation: many residents are unable to attend medical appointments, recreational activities or visit with neighbours as some only have a single vehicle, do not drive, or only drive in good weather / road conditions. Several ideas were discussed that might alleviate some stressors for this—e.g. community van, car pool (phone tree), improved HandiDart Service.
Recreation: many residents want to recreate within their own communities and /or backyards and recreation needs vary with different people. Identified needs include include self-guided activities, better utilization of outdoor spaces, physical activity / programming throughout day and evening, bridging youth and seniors for activities that would provide an opportunity for collaboration and healthy lifestyles.
Community Hall Utilization: better access to and increased usage of rurally based community halls was identified as important to community health. Activities and programs that bridge generations are key—e.g. Library, nutrition / cooking, arts, sports, after school programs, library, internet cafes, Doctor Day, community garden, accessible entrances, youth summer camps.
The next step will be to proceed with Phase 2. An application for Phase 2 has been submitted to BC Healthy Communities and involves more collaboration, reviewing options to address the barriers identified in Phase 1, and test some of the ideas.
If you wish to be notified as activities role out for Phase 2, please let me know by emailing me at hdixon-warren@cariboord.bc.ca or calling 250.249.5329.
Links:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218883129/Parkland-and-Bouchie-Lake-Electoral-Area-B-Healthy-Community-Workshop-Summary-2014
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218883134/BC-Healthy-Communities-Stakeholders-Info
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218883160/BCHC-Stakeholder-Invitee-Poster
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218883140/Bchc-Bl-Com-Poster
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218883151/BCHC-Parkland-Com-Poster
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