Doaktown/ Boiestown Wellness Network
This network aims to enhance healthiness and happiness in the surrounding communities by connecting agencies, organizations and community members to ensure a healthy lifestyle is at the forefront of the community.
Public Dialogue a Great Tool for Building Community Capacity
On October 22nd the communities of Doaktown/ Boiestown invited their community leaders to help brainstorm and discuss issues that were and are affecting their communities. Issues such as transportation, housing, out-migration of population, and health and wellness. This event was organized by the Experience Doaktown group and was in partnership with the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation and HEPAC.
This is what was gathered from the event surrounding wellness:
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
We need to make better, more efficient use of our existing facilities (e.g., local gym, sports arena, etc.) in which to offer recreation and social programs. Note: Jobs could be created for someone to coordinate these activities and/or to supervise the facilities while they are being used by “outside groups.”
Inactivity among our youth and in fact across the generations is a real concern – people these days are too tied to the television, the computer, and video games. We are in danger of losing our social skills and our “connectivity” to the rest of the community.
There is a real need in our community for recreation options for men as well as a support group for men’s health issues.
We need a drop-in clinic and we should be prepared to lobby hard for it.
At least one of our local health care centres should be open 24/7.
The waiting time at the Doaktown Clinic is much too long.
No help available locally in times of medical emergencies.
We need a men-only gym/exercise facility.
Is there funding available for “healthy eating” programs?
It’s one thing to provide a wealth of services and programs for the elderly but what about “outreach” programs (i.e., going to their homes just to “visit” and spend time)?
Emphasis on the importance of physical activity needs to start young – and be solidly endorsed by parents and grandparents who should be encouraged to set an example for their children.
Adults can help youth to step out of their comfort zones.
Many seniors and others living alone don’t eat properly – don’t want to take the time to cook only for themselves, can’t access the grocery store, can’t afford a healthy diet. Note: Another related suggestion was that local grocery stores should be encouraged to offer smaller packages of meat, etc. to better accommodate people who live by themselves.
We should encourage the use of bicycles – perhaps by providing bike lanes or promoting their use on our trail system.
Cafeteria food at CNBA is not healthy and is too expensive. Note: This should be pursued.
The area needs more after-school activities. Note: Not everyone is into “sports.”
HEALTH AND WELLNESS – PAGE 2
Consider widening or at least improving our road system to include sidewalks/lanes for walkers and bikers. Many of our roadways don’t even have sufficient “shoulders” that could be used for this purpose.
Facing the risk of unemployment, being only seasonally employed or having to leave the family to seek jobs elsewhere is a source of considerable stress for everyone involved.
We need to do more to promote the use of the NB Trail System – either by walkers, bicyclers, cross-country skiers, joggers, etc.
Trail System will shortly be open for ATV use – good not only for local users but as a “marketable commodity” for our tourism industry.
We should consider the addition of “walkers’ lanes” to the Trail System, particularly in heavily-populated areas.
We need a physiotherapist in this area, rather than an increasing number of people having to travel outside the community for this very essential service.
We are spending much more time on trying to treat illness and medical conditions than on trying to prevent them through advocating recreation and social pursuits.
Introduce a Stop Smoking campaign, one that will reach all ages in the community.
Tobacco usage leads to chronic illness which, in turn, increases health care costs.
Eating “healthy” is more expensive and sometimes harder to incorporate into menus for the whole family. Consider offer cooking programs (including shopping tips).
Community gardens might be a way to reduce food costs while encouraging people to be more active. They would also support the concept of “buying locally.” Note: Muriel MacKenzie has some ideas regarding a community garden and the Donald Farm.
When planning recreation and other interactive activities for people of all ages, we have to consider whether transportation options are available and easily accessible.
It would be nice to have a new Seniors Group formed to bridge both our communities and to provide a variety of social, recreational and leisure programs as well as education on issues of particular concern to seniors.
We should consider providing some kind of support program for caregivers.
Why is it that the poorest people seem to be the heaviest smokers?
When planning “leisure pursuits” to keep people active and engaged, we need to think “outside the box” – think about bringing trainers and lecturers in from outside the community to provide insights into new possibilities.
