Who We Are.
Our collaborative was formed in 2016 when a group of local organizations and inspired individuals came together in support of a shared vision: a healthy Gabriola community.
We’ve since expanded to include over 50 charities, non-profits, public services, informal groups, and other subject matter experts on Gabriola.
Vision
A thriving Gabriola ecosystem and community.
Purpose
The Gabriola Health and Wellbeing Collaborative (GHWC or ‘The Collaborative’) is a community-driven collaborative using a network model to facilitate community action to positively impact the social determinants of health and well-being on Gabriola Island. The Collaborative strives to address emerging issues, identify gaps, promote collaboration, and support community action on issues that impact the health and well-being of our rural and remote island community and ecosystem.
Truth & Reconciliation
In addition to our values, the Collaborative supports all efforts to increase knowledge and awareness of the impacts of colonization on Indigenous communities, and the ways that colonization continues to influence us today. The Collaborative will work to develop relationships in a good way with the Snuneymuxw First Nation and all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit community members.
GHWC Values
Relationships: We build relationships based on cultural safety and humility, inclusion, and belonging.
Caring and Compassion: We care for each other and for the land on which we live and depend.
Knowledge: We continually learn about the needs of Gabriolans and our island home.
Respect: We create space for communication that allows all participants to share their views.
Sustainability: We have the flexibility and capacity to adapt to change and to sustain the work.
Environment: We safeguard the ecosystem and consider our impact when making decisions.
Collaboration and Cooperation: We work to support shared community outcomes.
Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department is a Collaborative member.
50+ Members
Our Collaborative member organizations represent health and social services, emergency services, the environment, arts and culture, the economy, food security, housing, public amenities, sports and recreation, religious and spiritual groups, civil society, and local government.
Key Elements
GHWC is a network model whose focus is on collaboration to achieve its purpose. Key elements of the GHWC structure are as follows:
How we are Organized
GHWC Members
GHWC members are individuals and organizations who take part in the Collaborative and participate in shaping priorities and consensus-based decisions. These members may be located on Gabriola or contribute to the health and wellbeing of Gabriolans by providing resources and services to the community.
Steering Group (SG)
The Steering Group (SG) is a small stewardship group that acts on behalf of the GHWC to support alignment with the Collaborative’s vision and priorities, and to bring forward recommendations and guidance between Collaborative meetings
Contract Holding Organization (CHO)
The Contract Holding Organization (CHO) serves as the legal and administrative host responsible for funding, employment, and contractual obligations.
Community Wellbeing Coordinator (CWC)
The Community Wellbeing Coordinator (CWC) supports the GHWC by coordinating Collaborative activities, implementing priorities as identified in the annual Workplan, and facilitating communication across members and partners.
Community Wellbeing Coordinator
The Coordinator helps facilitate cooperation and innovation amongst the 50+ Collaborative members to effectively address complex factors influencing community health and wellbeing on Gabriola.
If you require any further information about the Collaborative, please contact our part-time Community Wellbeing Coordinator, Penny Scott.
A Brief History…
The Gabriola Health and Wellbeing Collaborative (GHWC) is a network of organizations and individuals who have come together since 2016 to address the issues that surround the social determinants of health on Gabriola.
Through a process of community consultations, feasibility reports and work with the Regional District of Nanaimo Board and staff, in November 14, 2023, the RDN Board gave three readings to the proposed service bylaw “Gabriola Island Community Health and Wellbeing Contribution Service Establishment Bylaw No. 1892, 2023” for a health and wellbeing coordinator service. As required by provincial legislation, the proposed services bylaw was referred to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs (the Ministry) for approval, which was granted on December 21, 2023.
The proposed services bylaw proceeded to an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) between January 19, 2024, to February 20, 2024, for electors to determine if a Health and Wellbeing Service may be established on Gabriola Island.
The RDN Board reviewed the results of the AAP at the Board meeting on February 27, 2024 adopted “Gabriola Island Community Health and Wellbeing Contribution Service Establishment Bylaw No. 1892, 2024”
A health and wellbeing coordinator has been in place since December 2024 supporting the work of the Collaborative and its members.
A full description of the process, including copies of the source documents can be found on the RDN website.
Collaborative members at Rural Island Economic Forum. Credit: Carla Duffey & RIEP
Hosted at the Haven, Rural Island Economic Forum. Credit: Carla Duffey & RIEP
Gabriola Chamber of Commerce at Rural Island Economic Forum. Credit: Carla Duffey & RIEP