Public Engagement

A broad collection of voices have contributed to helping us better understand the types of social supports and services needed within our region. This information will now be used to collectively develop a Strategy to help improve access to services for all residents. Over the past year, engagement activities have included:

Stakeholder Meetings & Interviews

Working with Local Area Health Networks (Nanaimo Community Health Network, Gabriola Health and Wellness Collaborative and Oceanside Health and Wellness Network) in planning and engagement delivery.

Community Survey

A community survey was launched in March to help provide an understanding of the challenges and opportunities you may experience in accessing housing, child care and education, social supports, recreational opportunities, securing healthy food, community belonging, transportation and more.

Sharing Circles

Working with local service providers small group sharing circles/ focus groups were organizing to connect with individuals with lived and living experience (those who have direct experience of accessing or needing to access social supports).

Game Changer Workshop

A Game Changer Workshop was held in June. Game Changer refers to the Tamarack Institute’s Vibrant Communities Game Changer Approach to Poverty Reduction. Over thirty participants from a broad range of community-based organization, provincial and local government and First Nations took part in the work shop to collectively map out strategic and specific “game change” initiatives and actions to address social needs gaps in reducing poverty across the region.

Director's Workshop

Members of the RDN's Board of Directors were invited to hear insights into the day-to-day experiences of community members who are experiencing poverty and to identify actions that can be advanced within their jurisdictions to reduce poverty and promote equitable community development.