“Oh, is there a resource?”
That’s something Olivia Barron encounters often at Wellspring Niagara.
“It’s big thing that we hear,” she said. “Members don't always know about the resources (available in the community).”
Barron, who is the program manager at Wellspring, an agency which provides programs and support for individuals living with cancer, and their families, decided something needed to be done to raise awareness of resources available in the community for those who need some help.
That is the rationale behind Wellspring’s inaugural Health Fair taking place on Monday, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. that will bring together representatives from 20 agencies and businesses offering help with everything from home healthcare and hospice services to cancer screening and mobility products. The event will also feature a pancake breakfast served from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The event is open to the public.
“I thought, why don't we do a day where we can gather all these resources and have it at one location where we know our members are comfortable,” Barron said. “That way it's one place that they can come and have all these resources, different organizations here in one spot for them to get the information.”
So rather than have to drive round the region in the hope of finding services, they can visit with several during the fair.
“This is one place they can come gather the information they need,” Barron said.
Jacqueline Ireland, community engagement and events coordinator for Wellspring said there was no difficulty lining up vendors for the event. The problem was more one of space limitations at Wellspring’s Wellspring Way resource centre.
“Based on our space we can't take on any more,” she said. “But this is a kind of a launching pad now, and if it was to get bigger, we could maybe use another space.”
Like Barron, Ireland said the idea is to let people know what is available.
“We do hear a lot, thinks like I didn't know that was there. Cancer care in the region – it’s more than just one agency.”
She added that having representatives from such businesses as one that offers items like mastectomy bras and lingerie.
“It’s about all the little things that would make your life so easier and really aid in your healing and coming back to how you were,” she said.
