What this page says
- People have more meaningful lives and are happier when they have real membership and belonging in community.
- A CLBC facilitator can support you to share your strengths and explore ways to connect with your community in ways that make sense for you.
- Your CLBC facilitator can help you explore ways to get involved.
Individuals feel more included in their communities, and have a better quality of life, when they are connected and can contribute to their community. CLBC facilitators can help you explore ways to get involved in your community. Sometimes the only relationships people have are with staff who are paid to be in their lives. While the support provided by paid staff is important and often necessary, it is not a substitute for friendships and being a contributing member of community.
What are ways I can get involved in my community?
Just as every community has great opportunities to get involved and to contribute and help make it better, there are opportunities for each of us to get involved in something that interests us in our community and to share our strengths with community. This may be through becoming part of a sports or recreational team, joining classes at a local recreation centre, volunteering with others who share common interests, or many other ways.
What are examples of community opportunities I could get involved in to develop friendships?
Many communities have social clubs or community activities, and have leaders who are eager to support participation for people of all abilities. These might include sports teams, garden clubs, choirs, faith communities and volunteer opportunities.
Watch a video story from Salmon Arm about joining a dragon boat team
How can I connect to community?
A CLBC facilitator will assist you or your family member to identify ways to connect with your community. CLBC is currently developing new ways to help you or your family member to connect to your community.
This new process uses a concept called community mapping, which helps identify people, programs activities, resources and other opportunities in your community to find meaningful activities, contribute strengths, and form long-lasting relationships. If you are interested in community mapping, contact CLBC’s Self Advocate Advisor to get involved with Mapping Projects and Community Councils in your area.
FindSupportBC
CLBC has supported the Family Support Institute to create a province-wide database of local community resources and activities that are current and that people have indicated are helpful. It provides an easy to use, useful list of what is available in your home town. In November 2018, non disability resources will be added to the current disability resources it includes. Visit findSupport BC for more details.