THE WELLNESS COALITION - AVALON EAST
Promoting wellness through community collaboration, awareness, and action.
TOGETHER FOR WELLNESS
Strengthening capacity for community health and well-being.
RESOURCES AND FUNDING
Providing wellness related resources and funding.
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The Wellness Coalition-Avalon East

Wellness Coalition – Avalon East (WCAE) is one of six regional wellness coalitions in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Avalon East Region includes the St. John’s and Mount Pearl metropolitan areas, Bell Island, Conception Bay South, the Southern Shore to St. Shotts, and Torbay to Portugal Cove.

Wellness Coalitions are networks of organizations that want to improve the health and wellbeing of people in their regions. The Coalitions bring groups together to work on common issues. They provide leadership, coordination, and support.

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Latest news

Celebrating the Regional Wellness Coalitions

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Did you know that Wellness Coalition-Avalon East has five sister coalitions across Newfoundland and Labrador? Combined, the coalitions have a network of over 1200 community groups, organizations, schools, municipalities, and health sector programs.

During Well-being Week 2023, the coalitions came together to create a special edition newsletter, titled Well-being in Focus. The purpose of the newsletter is to:

  • give a snapshot of initiatives taking place in communities across the province that contribute to health and well-being,

  • highlight the role of the coalitions in supporting community well-being initiatives.

For example, read about a project in St. Anthony that supports rural landscapes within the built environment​, or how children in the Central region prepare nutritious meals at local Fun and Food Camps. And of course, don’t forget to look for a couple of highlights from yours truly, Wellness Coalition-Avalon East.

You can read the newsletter by clicking on its title above or here.

Nordic Walking in Paradise

nordic skiierWhile a familiar pastime and way to stay active in many European countries and other parts of Canada, Nordic walking is not an activity commonly seen in our little corner of the world – unless you’re in the town of Paradise, that is.

During the summer and fall of 2021, the Town of Paradise partnered with a local Nordic walking instructor to try out the activity with residents.

When seen, Nordic walking looks like cross country skiing but without the skis or the snow! Walkers use a specific technique and specially designed poles – which the town bought with a Wellness Coalition-Avalon East grant – to propel themselves along a trail or sidewalk. Like regular walking, Nordic walking uses the lower body but also engages the arms, shoulders, and back of the upper body. It has low impact on hip, knee, and foot joints, and improves cardiovascular fitness and posture. (1)

The Paradise pilot offered weekly instructor-led sessions. The opportunity to try something new attracted adults and older adults who weren’t usual participants of the town’s recreation programs. Once participants learned the technique and gained confidence in their abilities, some of them requested to borrow the poles for independent walks outside of those that were scheduled because they enjoyed the activity so much. Though not a mainstay on the group recreation schedule, the Town offers rentals of the poles to interested individuals. For more information contact Aimee Coles, Recreation Coordinator at acoles@paradise.ca Nordic Fitness Canada
our members

Our members

Join our network and connect with other community partners that are promoting wellness. Share ideas, stories, resources and thoughts about your wellness-related work.

Community Grants

As a member of the Coaliton, your group or organization can apply for funding up to $1000 for wellenss projects. Application deadlines October 1 and February 1. Learn More

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Resources and Links

Looking for information about health and wellness? Want to find a wellness coalition in another part of the province? Check out the Resources or Links sections.

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News and Events

Find out more about community events and news from our members.

Twitter updates

Visit Health Information, NL Health Services comprehensive Guide to Wellness.