Welcome to the Mayne Island Collective!

Mayne Island stands at a pivotal moment. As a rural and remote community, we face significant challenges: an aging population with limited access to health and support services, transportation barriers that can lead to isolation, and gaps in housing and social inclusion that affect residents of all ages. The COVID-19 pandemic has only intensified these issues, making it clear that we must come together to create meaningful change. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce the Mayne Island Collective—a community-driven initiative dedicated to tackling these challenges head-on and building a more vibrant, inclusive, and supportive community for everyone.

We believe that by working together, we can create a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive community that stands as a model for rural and remote areas everywhere.

Our Inspiration

Our journey began with the question: What does an ideal rural and remote age-friendly community look like? To find answers, we turned to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) eight domains of age-friendly communities. These domains provide a comprehensive framework for creating environments that support and empower people of all ages.

Additionally, we drew inspiration from the Designing the Future of Mayne Island report published in January 2020. Although the COVID-19 pandemic halted some of its initiatives, the report’s insights remain invaluable. It emphasized the need for community-wide collaboration and the establishment of a collective voice to guide Mayne Island’s future.

The Eight Domains of an Age-Friendly Community

We have adapted the World Health Organization’s age-friendly community domains to fit the unique context of Mayne Island:

1. Outdoor Spaces and Buildings: Ensuring our public spaces are accessible, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.
2. Transportation: Providing reliable and accessible transportation options to connect all parts of the island and off-island.
3. Housing: Offering a range of housing solutions that meet the diverse needs of our community.
4. Respect and Social Inclusion: Fostering a culture where all individuals feel valued and included.
5. Social Participation: Encouraging community engagement through events, activities, and volunteer opportunities.
6. Communication and Information: Keeping residents informed through effective and accessible communication channels.
7. Civic Participation and Employment Opportunities: Promoting active involvement in community decision-making and providing meaningful work opportunities.
8. Community Support and Health Services: Ensuring access to essential health and support services for all residents.

Many local organizations are already making strides in these areas. However, we recognize that there is always room for improvement, and some gaps still need to be addressed.

Besides, there are new preoccupations, such as climate change and it’s impacts on food security, water availability, mental health, etc.

The Power of Unity

One of the key recommendations from the Designing the Future report was the creation of a community council—a unified entity to serve as the collective voice of Mayne Island. Individually, organizations can only achieve so much. Together, we can pool our resources, knowledge, and efforts to make a more significant impact.

By uniting the island nonprofits in the Mayne Island Collective, we aim to:

• Strengthen Advocacy: A unified strategy across the eight age-friendly themes will make our appeals for funding and support more compelling to bodies like the Capital Regional District (CRD) and the Islands Trust.
• Enhance Collaboration: Working together will help us identify areas where we can support each other and eliminate unnecessary duplication of efforts.
• Create Synergy: The combined efforts of our organizations will lead to outcomes greater than what we could achieve individually.

Moving Forward with Support

We are excited to share that we have received grants to help us organize and collaborate more effectively. As a community of volunteers, this funding is crucial. This has allowed the M.I. Collective to hire yours truly to manage coordination, administrative tasks, grant writing and project management for community projects.

• Community Services Recovery Fund Grant
• Victoria Fdn Collaboration Grant

Join Us in Shaping the Future

We invite all residents, organizations, and stakeholders to join us on this journey. Your insights, participation, and support are vital as we work towards making Mayne Island an even better place to live, work, and play.

Stay tuned to our blog for updates on our initiatives, upcoming events, and opportunities to get involved. Together, we can build a community that not only meets the needs of today but also paves the way for a brighter future for all generations.

Welcome aboard the Mayne Island Collective—we’re glad to have you with us!