How Kimberley turned its age-friendly plan into action
Most plans end up on a shelf. Kimberley’s didn’t
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How Abbotsford turned pharmacy counters into a lifeline for older adults facing extreme heat
In the summer of 2021, a heat dome settled over the Fraser Valley and refused to lift. Temperatures climbed past 40C for days on end, and across British Columbia hundreds of people died, many of them older adults living alone who had no way of recognizing the warning signs until it was too late. In…
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When the Community Leads: Chawathil First Nation redefines health on Its own terms
With support from a PlanH grant, Chawathil First Nation brought Elders, youth, and community members together to build an Indigenous Health and Well-Being Plan rooted in culture, connection and self-determination. There’s a particular kind of meeting that doesn’t appear on any official agenda. It happens when an Elder accepts a bowl of traditional food from…
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Stocking the shelves before the storm: Cumberland’s plan for a food-secure future
Picture a winter storm that closes the highway, or a wildfire that severs the routes onto Vancouver Island. Within days, grocery shelves thin out. For a community at the end of a long and fragile supply chain, the question is not whether food access will be tested by a climate-driven emergency, but when — and…
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Vernon is rewriting the map for older adults and dementia caregivers
Finding your way around town might seem simple – but for older adults and those living with dementia, confusing signage and poorly designed streets can make the difference between independence and isolation. Vernon is doing something about it. The City has launched a community-wide wayfinding strategy, reviewing its public signage from the ground up –…
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Lumby seniors dig into food, friendship and community solutions
A free air-fryer demo, toe-tapping live music and a full house of smiling seniors – the Village of Lumby’s first Seniors Wellness and Food Fair was more than a good time. It was proof that food and community still bring people together in powerful ways. Held Oct. 21 at the White Valley Community Centre, the five-hour fair drew…
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Cranbrook’s ‘less talk, more action’ builds foundation for stronger collaboration
A BCHC-supported project brought local service providers together to confront barriers, share ideas and lay the groundwork for lasting collaboration
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Squamish strengthens supports for older adults with Age-friendly initiatives
The District of Squamish is taking steps to ensure its public spaces, programs, and services meet the needs of older residents, with a renewed focus on accessibility, equity and cultural safety. The goal: To create an action plan that adds an age-friendly lens to their planning, policies and procedures through extensive community engagement. To achieve…
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Thanks to PlanH grants, West Vancouver’s WIC program is helping newcomers build stronger connections
A BCHC PlanH Community Connectedness grant has helped develop the Welcoming and Inclusive Communities (WIC) program in West Vancouver, making a significant difference in the lives of newcomers there. The program offers a variety of activities designed to foster community connections and inclusion. In May 2024, West Vancouver’s WIC program received the BCRPA Program Excellence…
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Mission youth help shape city policy through PlanH-funded project
In the City of Mission, the voice of its young people is helping shape the future – one policy at a time. Thanks to a $15,000 grant from the PlanH program’s Healthy Public Policy stream, Mission has taken a big step toward becoming a more youth-informed city. Led by Sharel Isabella, a Senior Policy Planner…
