Do you ever wonder what happens to the information gathered from the many surveys we are all asked to complete? Our time is getting more precious and who wants to waste it filling out a questionnaire if no one is going to do anything with the data? Well, we have some good news for you about one such survey.
Last spring Vancouver Coastal Health conducted a survey called My Health, My Community undertaken to help them learn how our lifestyles, our neighbourhoods and our environment, all work together to affect our overall health and well-being. The Sunshine Coast Community Foundation saw this as an opportunity to report the results of the survey back to the participants and to engage the public in developing recommendations for the elected officials and healthcare providers on the Coast.
Fortunately BC Healthy Communities in collaboration with the Ministry of Health created an initiative called Plan H and provided grant money for local governments.
Both the Town of Gibsons and District of Sechelt were successful applicants, receiving $5,000 each for community capacity building and are offering to conduct a sustainability and planning workshop with elected officials. This has resulted in a partnership that will conduct the forums and workshop and assist with developing an action plan from the results of the survey. The information will help shape future programs and community services that will benefit you, your family and your community.
Three sessions will be held to discuss area specific results of the survey: Sept. 11 in Sechelt, Sept. 17 in Pender Harbour (for results for the Sunshine Coast Regional District), and Sept. 18 in Gibsons. All sessions will be held at the Royal Canadian Legions in the respective communities from 7 to 9 p.m.
On Oct. 16 the final report will be discussed at the Sunshine Coast Golf & Country Club in Roberts Creek from 7 to 9 p.m. A further session will be held before the November municipal election for anyone running for an office and select service providers to ensure all stakeholders are well informed of the recommendations and positioned to develop the action plan.
For full details visit the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation website at www.sccfoundation.com or call 604-741-7360.
