Partnering in Community-Based Initiatives

Community Health Boards support other community-based initiatives such as transportation initiatives, active living strategies, food security, and mental health drop-ins that assist in improving the overall health of the community.

Strait Area Transit - "Removing the Barrier"

The need for safe, affordable and accessible means of transportation has been a long standing recommendation in Community Health Planning for the 3 Community Health Boards in GASHA. As a result of this ongoing recommendation from the Boards, a non-profit charitable organization “Strait Area Transit”(SAT) conducted a feasibility study in the fall of 2007.

The results of this study launched a unique, community based, public transportation model that would allow Strait area residents to access medical services, along with employment and training opportunities.

SAT provides transportation services to Richmond County, Port Hawkesbury, Mulgrave and parts of Inverness. Presently Strait Area Transit is completing a feasibility study in Inverness County and is having discussions with Guysborough County for possible expansion.

SAT have many partners including GASHA, Strait Richmond and Guysborough Community Health Boards, Strait Regional School Board, East Coast Credit Union, Richmond County, Town of Port Hawkesbury, Inverness County and the Town of Mulgrave Municipalities, ECBC, Ecology Action Center, Department of Community Services, Strait Highlands RDA, Richmond County Disabled Association as well as many other organizations and agencies.

The chair of the Strait Richmond CHB is also the Chair of the SAT Board, with representation from the Guysborough CHB as a board member.

Strait Area Transit Website

 

Guysborough Antigonish Active Living Network

The Antigonish Town and County Community Health Board and the Guysborough County Community Health Board have been very involved in the development of the Guysborough Antigonish Active Living Network. The network formed in 2009 with the goal to work together to increase physical activity levels for all residents in Guysborough and Antigonish Counties.

The Network just recently completed a strategic plan with the following goals over the next four years:

• To increase the number of built and unstructured environments that support active living.


• To increase opportunities for the citizens of Guysborough and Antigonish to participate in Active Transportation (AT)


• To increase awareness about the benefits of active living among the general public and decision-makers


• To increase the awareness among decision makers of the importance of the benefits of Active Transportation


• To improve sharing among network members


• To improve the quantity and quality of Physical Activity leadership in Antigonish and Guysborough Counties

Members of the network include: Public Health Services, Nova Scotia Health Promotion and Protection, Town of Antigonish, County of Antigonish, District of Guysborough, District of St. Mary’s, the Antigonish Town and County and Guysborough County Community Health Boards, Kids First Association, and the Strait Regional School Board.

 

Richmond County Physical Activity Partnership

The Strait Richmond CHB has been a partner in the Richmond County Physical Activity Partnership which developed a physical activity strategy for Richmond County in September 2009. The committee members represent a variety of government and non-government organizations, community stakeholders and individuals from across Richmond County who have a strong interest in promoting physical activity within the county.

The partnership consulted widely with local communities, stakeholders and individuals to identify key issues surrounding physical activity in Richmond County. Seven focus groups, two public meetings and a community survey of Richmond County residents were carried out during this consultative phase. The four key focus areas are as follows:

Leadership, Partnerships & Sustainability    To lead initiatives, build partnerships and develop policies that support physical activity for all ages, abilities, cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds within Richmond County.

Supportive Social Environments To provide inclusive opportunities for Richmond County Residents to participate in a variety of physical activities in their communities, homes, workplaces and educational settings.

Supportive Physical Environments To create, maintain & enhance physical environments (both built and natural) that support Physical Activity.

Public Awareness To create awareness of the benefits of daily physical activities and supportive environments encouraging Richmond County residents to engage in a variety of physical activities and opportunities.

 

Adult Drop-In Centre, St. Peters

The purpose of the Adult Drop-In Centre is to promote mental health and empower communities to fight the stigma of mental illness

The idea for the centre began with a presentation to Strait Richmond Community Health Board about the number of people living in Richmond County with mental illness, (bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorder etc.), seniors living in the communities, and residents from the Richmond Villa. It was determined that people in communities did not have a safe place to go. There was a need to offer support, education and friendship to these individuals living in our communities.

Initially the Adult Drop-In Centre started at the Bonnie Brae Seniors Club and then moved to Richmond Villa Adult Day room. The location at Richmond Villa formed a wonderful partnership which has included residents from the assisted living apartments as well as residents who are mobile and interested in joining in.

The Adult Drop-In Centre is a partnership of the Strait Richmond Community Health Board, the Dr. Kingston Memorial Community Health Centre, and Mental Health Services, GASHA. This partnership means:

• Mental Health can offer community outreach at Drop-In Center.


• Mental Health refers clients to the program.


• Mental Health community outreach Nurses, Occupational Therapist’s and Social Workers participate weekly at center.

Activities at Drop-In Center include:

• Physical Activities include: walking, snowshoeing, Nintendo Wii, gardening, yoga


• Crafts: Quilting, Christmas decorations, drawing, painting, rug tying,


• Games: 45 card play, crazy eights, cribbage,


• Cooking: unstructured cooking; cookies, rice crispy squares, biscuits,


• Community Kitchens: meal planning, food preparation, shopping


• Celebrations: Birthday parties, St. Patricks Day, Valentines, Easter, Christmas Party – Prepared Turkey Dinner and invited individuals from Community to join us


• Social Activities: BBQ, Bake Sale, Entertainment, Step Dancing, Gardening, Bingo,

Parents and loved ones from local communities presented to the SRCHB and asked for a space for individuals living in the communities with Mental Illness to go.