Community Health Boards in western Nova Scotia announce wellness funds recipients

Wednesday, February 12, 2020 - 08:42AM
BERWICK, N.S. – The 11 Community Health Boards (CHBs) of the western zone of Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) are pleased to announce that nearly $180,000 of funding has been provided for projects that support local population health priorities.
 
Grants from the CHB wellness fund are awarded annually to non-profit organizations across the province working to improve the health of their communities, based on priorities identified by CHBs.
 
CHBs in the western zone include Lunenburg County, Queens, Shelburne County, Yarmouth County, Digby & Area, Clare, Western Kings, Eastern Kings, Central Kings, Kingston-Greenwood, and Annapolis.
 
“We are dedicated to improving population health by supporting activities which promote the collective wellness of our communities,” said Nancy Hsu, Digby & Area Community Health Board Co-Chair.
 
“Wellness fund grants give local organizations the opportunity to creatively address needs specific to our unique communities. They help us grow health from the ground up.”
 
The CHBs of the western zone have a shared Community Health Plan based on an extensive public engagement process. 
 
The top four priorities identified from the communities are: food security, affordable housing, social connections, and wellness and recreation. 
 
CHB members look for projects that support one or more of these priorities among their wellness fund applications.
 
Examples of the projects receiving funding this year include: 
  • community garden projects organized by Nova Scotia Community College in Shelburne and Yarmouth; 
  • instructor training for older adult fitness classes in the Annapolis Valley; 
  • and community connection sessions for 2SLGBTQIA+ people of all ages through South Shore Sexual Health in Bridgewater and Liverpool. 

For a complete list of recipients and to learn more about the wellness fund visit: https://www.communityhealthboards.ns.ca/wellness-funds.  

Each CHB has a celebration or cheque distribution in February or March. 
 
CHBs are often looking for new members to help fulfill our role, as well as new partnership opportunities. Contact information for your local CHB is available at www.communityhealthboards.ns.ca/find-your-chb.  
 
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Media contact:
Lisa Garand 
Manager Public Engagement and CHB Support, Community Health Board 
902-538-5590
Lisa.Garand@nshealth.ca