Description
The Better Together Strategy brings community partners and local government together to understand where effort is currently focused across the social determinants of health and how we can strengthen both immediate supports and upstream action.
Better Together is a key driver in developing Courtenay’s forthcoming Community Social Development Framework, helping partners identify shared priorities and clarify the roles of the City and community organizations.
Timeline
June 2025 – November 2026
Partners
City of Courtenay, Urban Matters (Consultant), community and local government organizations leading efforts across the social determinants of health.
Framework
Better Together uses an asset-based, health-promotion approach and focuses on:
- Finding common vision among the sectors leading community and social development work in Courtenay.
- Mapping existing work across the social determinants of health.
- Expanding collective capacity for upstream, preventative efforts.
- Integrating insights directly into the development of the Community and Social Development Framework and Action Plan.
Approach
Better Together engages partners through research, workshops and collaborative planning sessions to:
- Build shared awareness of where resources are currently focused.
- Identify opportunities to improve coordination and enhance efficiencies.
- Identify opportunities for upstream action, including alternative approaches and supportive policy development.
- Document and connect complementary work across the community.
- Clarify roles for the City and partners to advance community social development.
Intended Outcomes
- A digital illustration or map showing organizations and agencies contributing to social determinants of health.
- A documented inventory of linked or complementary activities across partners.
- Shared identification and agreement on priority areas for coordinated action.
- Enhanced clarity of the role of the City and community partners in community social development.
- Strengthened relationships and improved communication among partners.
- Integration of insights into the Community Social Development Framework to guide long-term systems change.