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!