SP and Community Health Centres
Community Health Centres (CHCs) are also central to SP successes. Since CHCs are community-governed and nonprofit organizations combining team-based care approaches with health promotion and community programming, many SPs can occur under one CHC roof.
CHCs have led SP initiatives across Ontario, with several Waterloo Region CHCs running SP-relevant programs.
Community Healthcaring KW (Kitchener) runs free monthly group programs open to community members and facilitated by community health workers—often across arts, family drop-in, health education, mindfulness, movement, and music. This CHC also operates a four-week tablet lending program with one-on-one help for device instruction, a pay-what-you-can community market, and raised garden beds for urban gardening education.
Waterloo Region Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (Kitchener) delivers primary health care through a team of dietitians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physician consultants, registered practical nurses, and social workers. Group programs are open to community members, not only registered patients.
Waterloo Region Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (Cambridge) offers the same team-based care and open programming at their Cambridge site.
Cambridge’s Langs runs an SP program around removing cost and transportation barriers—with SPs including exercise classes and groups, nature activities, volunteering, and more. Langs maintains an interactive community map covering community opportunities, food, health care, housing, in-home support, and transportation. They also host a walking track and fitness programs onsite.
North Dumfries Community Health Centre is a Langs satellite serving North Dumfries Township (including Branchton, New Dundee, Plattsville, and Roseville). This CHC is co-located (clinical care and recreation share a building) in a multipurpose complex with a banquet hall, ice surface, program rooms, and walking track.
Woolwich Community Health Centre serves rural townships of Wellesley, Wilmot, and Woolwich, and offers free health and wellness sessions in-person and online (with a phone option for those without Internet access). Woolwich CHC’s programming is tailored to rural social health needs: a seniors’ group program run by phone connects small groups for activities, conversations, and skill-sharing. A youth centre also offers drop-in space for crafts, games, and STEM activities.
