The Village of Granisle will soon have a wellness garden, thanks in part to a recent round of ‘IMAGINE community grants’ from Northern Health.
The Granisle peer support, a group that started about a year ago to improve the mental health of its members, has recently received $3000 to build a wellness garden.
Michele Robson, leader of the peer support group, said the intent of the garden is to give people an activity that makes them feel good.
“It’s a place that people can go and be at peace,” said Robson. “The emphasis is on wellness; it’s all about mental health.”
The new garden will include vegetables, flowers, herbs and a small greenhouse.
Robson said the garden is open to anyone in the community that would like to participate.
“Everybody can use good mental health at the end of the day,” she said.
Granisle Mayor Linda McGuire said the peer support group has been very enthusiastic about the new garden.
“We look forward to seeing their progress this coming summer,” said McGuire.
The Village of Granisle also received $5000 for its ‘healthy Granisle’ initiative, which facilitates programs designed to enhance healthy living choices in the community.
The village will use the funding to purchase equipment including snowshoes, yoga mats, pedometers, walking poles, and removable snow cleats among other items for residents to freely use.
“Receiving any funding, especially in small communities, provides the opportunity to design programs and moves us forward to healthier living,” said McGuire.
Cheslatta Carrier Nation has also received funding for its ‘healthy kids’ program. However, Cheslatta did not provide more information by press time.
A total of 49 communities were included in the latest round of IMAGINE community grants, which support projects that promote healthy living.
“Personal health and wellness is important no matter where you live,” said John Rustad, MLA Nechako Lakes. “It is great to see grants awarded in many communities including Burns Lake and Granisle, which will help improve the health of the next generation.”
There will be another opportunity to obtain funding for community projects in 2016, with another cycle in early fall. For more information, contact Northern Health at 250-645-6407, or e-mail imagine.grants@northernhealth.ca