Wellness Fund applications now available in Pictou County

NEW GLASGOW, N.S. — NEW GLASGOW, N.S. – Wellness Fund applications are now available to community groups to support projects that aim to help people in Pictou County lead more healthy lives. 
These funds are distributed by the local community health boards, with funding provided by the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness. In Pictou County, there are two community health boards – Pictou West and Central & East Pictou.  
“Wellness Funds are open to non-profit community groups undertaking projects that contribute to creating a better community and a better place to live, learn, work and play,” said Heidi Sinclair, chair, Central and East Pictou Community Health Board. 
“Projects should be addressing one or more social determinants of health and align with the local CHB’s Community Health Plan priorities.” 
The deadline for applications is midnight Tuesday, Oct. 15. Community groups in Pictou County can apply to one or both local community health boards, depending on the location of the project within the county. 
“Local projects can be awarded up to $3,000 in funds,” said Kim MacLean, chair, Pictou West Community Health Board. 
Projects in the past have made a significant difference in supporting the health of people in Pictou County by providing education on health and fitness, community gardens, after-school programming and more.” 
In 2019, $42,000 in funds were award to projects that ranged from health and fitness passes at the library, to parent support groups with Pictou County Rainbow Community Association, to youth-focused mental health training at the YMCA of Pictou County, to promoting Mi’kmaq language use through engagement of elders and youth in sewing, and more.
Applications are available online at www.communityhealthboards.ns.ca/wellness-funds or by contacting the local community health board coordinator, Lynn Langille at [email protected] or 902-324-0621.  
The Central and East Pictou and Pictou West Community Health Boards are volunteer boards that are committed to improving the health of communities in Pictou County. There are 37 such boards across Nova Scotia.