October is a time when change can be prominent in our lives, and sometimes that change can be difficult. With colder months come risks to health. The daylight shortens, the natural world begins to whither and decay, and the flu season begins to take hold.
For some, the solution is self-care. It could mean taking a Tylenol, drinking a soothing cup of tea and having a good night’s rest. For more vulnerable community members, the change might not be so easy to navigate, as some might not have ready access to warm clothing, hot drinks or a comfortable bed to sleep on.
I think that sometimes the idea of self-care can only go so far. I think of how the needs of many in our region depend not only on caring for oneself but caring for others, especially those who need it most during this time of change.
One change at the Victoria Foundation this month was that we made our annual Vital Signs launch open to the public for the first time.
It was a wonderful afternoon that saw more than 300 attendees eager to speak with our subject-matter experts about issues facing the community. There were captivating presentations, including from renowned psychologist and keynote speaker Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, who flew from Ontario to speak on resilience during challenging times.
Dr. Hanley-Dafoe herself has some interesting ideas on self-care.
In her recent book Stress Wisely: How to be Well in an Unwell World, she writes that “telling someone to be resilient or ‘self-care’ themselves back to good” during challenging times is like “putting a bandage on a bullet hole.” Instead, the wound needs a proper care solution.
Reading this, I believe part of the solution is the empathy and bravery in our community. I’m grateful for all the residents in Greater Victoria who are not only caring for themselves but extending a hand to care for others, and who are bravely working through difficult change to create positive well-being for those who cannot do it themselves, be it through volunteering, gift-giving and more.
Oftentimes making change can feel daunting. In a region of nearly 400,000 people, it can seem impossibly hard to even know where to begin. But as Dr. Hanley-Dafoe says, even by taking the smallest steps “you can do hard things.”
This is why I’m pleased the Victoria Foundation is now accepting applications for its small but mighty Neighbourhood Small Grants program, with grants of up to $500 available for local individuals looking to lead a project that will benefit their direct community.
Some past examples include multicultural events, community gardens and skill-building workshops. We welcome anyone to apply online by Oct. 30.
I also invite you to read through a copy of the 2023 Victoria Vital Signs report to learn about how your community rated the health of the region. You can find it online or in print at various locations around the city.
Our feature article “Moving From Hope to Change” discusses what sports and physical literacy can teach us about making positive change in our communities.
I want to thank all our community members who made this report possible, and who helped make our Vital Signs launch a resounding success.
I’m inspired by the change I see happening for the well-being of the community, be it large or small, and I have such gratitude for those not only caring for themselves but for others around them.
Sandra Richardson is CEO of the Victoria Foundation.
