Municipal Leaders Focus Group in Musgravetown

Only the Deputy Mayor of Musgravetown came out to the Municipal Leaders Focus Group held last night in Musgravetown.  We had a good chat about the positives in the community as well as the challenges. 

The positives in the area are pretty easy to see.  Driving through Bloomfield and Musgravetown you can certainly see lots of sign of activity.  Last night was a beautiful evening and lots of people were out walking.  There are several new houses that have just recently been built or are still in process.  Holloway's Grocery Store was busy. 

One of the challenges referenced by the Deputy Mayor is the fact that the community no longer has a physician who practices in the community.  In particular, he indicated this had been a hardship on seniors in the area.

We had a good chat about other challenges.  It's always great to speak with someone passionate about his community.

A Visit to King's Cove

The beautiful community of King's Cove was the site of a great focus group this afternoon.  Fifteen people gathered at the Knights of Columbus hall for discussion about the strengths and challenges in their community and positives and concerns about the health and community services system.

People at the session had lots to say and we were very happy to listen.  Many of the same themes that we heard at focus group sessions were referenced. 

The group wanted to know what would happen with the report once it was completed.  This is a very important question.  In the past, the Board of Trustees has asked for progress reports on the status of the recommendations every 6 months and committed to coming back to the community two years after the release of the report to provide an update on the recommendations.  This built in accountability is very important.

Advisory Committee Meeting

Yesterday's meeting with the Advisory Committee included some excellent discussion.  The group talked about healthy child development as a determinant of health.  They were asked the question:  What helps support healthy child development?  At each Advisory Committee meeting, we will have a discussion about a determinant of health.  We thought we could discuss them all over two meetings but given the level of discussion, it will be spread over more meetings. 

Yesterday, was also an opportunity to provide a summary of some of the discussion heard from key informants and results of the telephone survey.  Committee members found the results to be "surprising" and "complex."  At our next meeting in June, most of the primary research will be done so we should have a comprehensive discussion about what people are saying in the area about the well being of their communities.

Meeting Today with Advisory Committee

The Discovery Zone Advisory Committee meets today in Port Union.  This will be our third time meeting.  On today's agenda is a continuation of a discussion about the determinants of health and their impact in this region.  We will also have the opportunity to share some results of the telephone survey.

Our meeting is at the historic The Factory in Port Union.  Shown here is the section of The Factory with the Fishermens' Protective Union Retail Store.  A fascinating place to visit!

A Visit to a Family Resource Centre

Family Resource Centres have received a lot of mention during the needs assessment process.  Throughout the region, people see them as one of our greatest strengths.  The Discovery Zone has two Family Resource Centres:  The Vista Family Resource Centre and The Neighbourhood of Friends.

We have invited representatives from both organizations to speak with us about the health needs of the area.  Last week, we met with the Neighbourhood of Friends.  During our session, they spoke a lot about the challenges throughout the region, particularly in terms of the increasingly wide gulf between the rich and the poor.  They talked about how difficult it is for families to eat healthy foods on fixed incomes and they spoke about the challenges trying to access certain services due to a number of reasons, from wait lists to knowing what services are available to literacy challenges.

Speaking with the Youth Protocol Committee

The Discovery Zone has a Youth Protocol Committee.  Membership comes from the Community Youth Networks, Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, Service Canada, Eastern Health, Eastern School District, Discovery Regional Development Board, Ability Employment Corporation, Eastern Regional Committee Against Violence and the Random North Development Corporation among others. The committee's mandate is to: 

Work collaboratively as federal, provincial and local stakeholders to develop a process for addressing employment challenges faced by youth in Newfoundland and Labrador.  We strive to: • Create opportunities for youth to define and develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to participate in the labour market; • Increase work opportunities for youth; • Help youth respond to the changing nature of work; • Address cultural and social barriers in order to facilitate youth employment.

During the focus group session, one of the comments made was the importance of integrating youth in things around the community.  We need to get to the point where their involvement is asked for and encouraged.  What you have a community event, do you make a special effort to include youth in the process and the event? 

Happy Volunteer Week!

The week of April 18 is Volunteer Week in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.  Volunteers are everywhere in our communities.  Our needs assessment relies on our Advisory Committee members who serve as volunteers.  The people who participate in focus group sessions, key informant interviews and telephone surveys volunteer their time and opinions.

As we talk with people about the needs assessment, the word volunteer comes up a lot.  On the positive side, people acknowledge and are very grateful for the support of volunteers who play such an important role in our communities.  On the negative side, people express concern that the same people seem to volunteer for the same things.  As they age, they wonder who will take their place.

The next time you go to a community event, take the time to acknowledge a volunteer - they deserve your thanks!

Speaking with the Bonavista Area Primary Health Care Advisory Committee

Several years ago, a primary health care initiative was established in the Bonavista area.  As part of that initiative, an advisory committee was established.  The committee us made up of people who live on the Bonavista Peninsula from the Barbour Bridge to Bonavista.  Because of their involvement in health issues in the area, we held a focus group session with this group.

This group is very in tune with the determinants of health and have organized a number of events that bring people of different generations together to focus on creating a healthy community.

Talking with Staff

Throughout the needs assessment process, we also invite staff to participate in the process.  In Bonavista last week, we invited staff to take part in a focus group to get their opinions about the health of their communities.  Staff are not only active participants in their communities, they also see the health needs from their clients/patients/residents' perspective.  They are invaluable sources of information!

In the Bonavista Area

Yesterday's focus groups in Bonavista and Port Union went well.  We had sessions with health providers, the Bonavista Area Primary Health Care Advisory Committee and community partners. 

During the community partners session, in particular, I was struck by how much people appreciated the opportunity to have a say into the health needs of their communities and how much they value the importance of working together to improve the health of communities.  It was a very snowy night and it was great to see that people made the effort to have their say and to participate in the process.

On the Road...To Bonavista

Off to Bonavista for three focus group sessions today. 

Bonavista has a tremendous history and it's one that they have managed to protect and it's also one that seems to be paying major dividends.  Bonavista is probably one of the most visited towns in the province.  Starting with its discovery by John Cabot in 1497, Bonavista's close access to the rich fishing and sealing grounds to the north of the peninsula made it the home to the Spanish, Portuguese, French and English during the 1500s. In the most recent past, with the challenges in the fishery, the town has suffered from declining population and high unemployment rates.  Many people see the tourism sector as a way to help address this situation.

Today, we'll learn what some people think of the health of their communities.

Why Focus Groups?

Tomorrow, we have a number of focus group sessions set up to discuss our needs assessment.  So what is a focus group and why use them during a needs assessment process?  A focus group is one way to get qualitative research.  Unlike a telephone survey, for example, which provides quantitative information (where we will be able to say x% of people have a family doctor), focus groups consist of a small number of people who are asked about their opinions and attitudes about a particular topic.  For the focus group sessions for this needs assessment, we have nine questions that we will be asking each session that we hold.   If we hear themes arising from all of these sessions, we can probably focus on that issue as being an important one. 

One of the greatest benefits of focus groups is having the group interaction.  Listening to others talk can spark thoughts in others and result in great discussion.  One of the challenges of focus group is keeping people on topic.  It's very easy to get distracted and start talking about another topic.  Tomorrow will be a busy day!

1000 Cities; 1000 Lives

Yesterday was World Health Day as proclaimed by the World Health Organization (WHO) with celebrations going on for the whole week.  This year's theme focuses on health and urbanization.  By 2030, six out of every 10 people will be city dwellers, rising to seven out of every 10 people by 2050.

As part of the theme, cities are invited to open a portion of their streets to people for a physical or mental health activity and close them to motor vehicles.  It could be an opportunity for  physical exercise, meeting family, friends and community, health checks, eating healthy local food or visiting local attractions.

The World Health Day has a goal of 1000 Cities: 1000 Lives:   get 1000 cities to sign up for the challenge and identify 1000 individuals who are champions of health in your community.   Who are the health champions in your community?  Could your community participate in an initiative like this?

Calls Complete

Part of the research that we have been conducting for our needs assessment is a telephone survey of people living in the region.  The calls ended last night.  We look forward to getting the results of the survey.  They will be part of the needs assessment report and, combined with key informant interviews and focus group sessions, will help to form the basis of the findings.

What Are You Eating?

Meetings seem to be a fact of life.  We have them at our workplaces as employees and in our communities as volunteers.  If you attend a meeting where a snack or meal is served, do you stop and take note of what you're eating?  If you're organizing the meeting, do you think about the snacks being ordered? 

One of the topics that's talked about a lot during our needs assessment is the importance of healthy eating.  Sometimes, we eat what's in front of us because it's convenient or it's a treat or it's just a habit.  Next time you organize a meeting, think about the food you provide and make healthy choices.  When we eat healthy, we have more energy and can be more productive.

Here are a few tips to consider:

• If you're providing vegetables and dip, ask for dips made with yogurt or low-fat sour cream.
• Always make sure water is available for drinking.
• Provide milk in addition to cream for coffee and tea.
• Ask for sandwiches on an assortment of whole grain breads, rolls, pitas, wraps, etc.
• Order green salads made with spinach, romaine lettuce or leaf lettuce rather than iceberg lettuce
• Offer fruit as a dessert alternative.

Becoming aware of our food choices can make us all healthier!

You Don't Need A Title to be a Leader

Mark Sanborn has written a book entitled You Don't Need A Title to Be a Leader.  Sanborn says leadership is shown through our everyday actions and the way we influence the lives of those around us.

Sanborn argues that leaders:

- act with purpose rather than getting bogged down by mindless activity
- Care about and listen to others

- Look for ways to encourage the contributions and development of others rather than focusing solely on personal achievements

- Create a legacy of accomplishment and contribution in everything they do

Sanborn states that influence and inspiration come from the person, not the position.  Are you a leader?  Who are the leaders in your community?