Community Wellness

Our world and daily routines have changed very quickly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Fort Saskatchewan is promoting community wellness by encouraging our amazing residents to build connectedness, foster relationships, and get creative. We’ve put together a few examples of things you can do to stay connected during this difficult time.

If you need additional mental health or community supports contact FCSS at 780-992-6267 or FCSSinfo@fortsask.ca for senior’s supports, counselling services and community referrals.

Support Line

Ph: 780-992-6281

The FCSS Support Line offers short term crisis support including supportive listening, information, resources and referrals. The Support Line is available during the following hours until further notice:

• Monday, Thursday and Friday — 8:00am to 4:30pm
• Tuesday and Wednesday — 8:00am to 8:00pm
• Saturday — 10:00am to 2:00pm

You can request a wellness check through the support line or by emailing FCSSinfo@fortsask.ca. If you are feeling isolated or concerned for someone who is, let us know and we will call and check in. FCSS is also available to discuss mental health and emotional wellness.

Connected Communities

Our community is defined by the small town heart and caring connection our residents show each and every day. Now more than ever, we must rely on each other to keep everyone feeling safe and well.

Physical distance does not mean social distance. We’ve made some postcards you can easily print at home and share with your neighbours. Print our Hey Neighbour! Check In Postcards

1. FCSS is a great source of information for connection initiatives, local resources and mental health and wellness support. Follow us on Facebook (@FCSSfortsask) to learn more about what’s happening in the community and for ideas on how you can build connection during this difficult time.
2. Take part in the Fort Saskatchewan Resiliency Project! Show us how you have been connecting, creating and taking care of yourself and others.
3. The Mental Health Commission of Canada has released a Self-Care & Resilience Guide. Read through it and find out what works best for you or your loved ones.
4. Let us know what you are doing!
   • If you have some fun activities you’d like to share with other residents we want to hear from you! Tag @fcssfortsask with any of your activity ideas on Facebook or Instagram or e-mail us at fcssinfo@fortsask.ca. 
5. Get Neighbouring!
   • Drop off a meal, leave your neighbour funny notes to brighten their day.
   • Nominate someone for a Good Neighbour award
6. Online shop at local stores or check out the Fort Sask Chamber for ways to support local business
7. Get outside for a walk, hike or bike ride. Most outdoor activities keep you at least 10m away from other people. Fort Saskatchewan is home to an extensive outdoor trail network and some of the best dog parks in the region.
8. Visit the Fort Saskatchewan Public Library’s Facebook page for their Live Story Time happening every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10:30 AM.
9. Visit the Seniors Centre Without Walls for a variety of interactive telephone-based social and health programming. Available to everyone aged 55+ and is a great way to socialize, learn new skills and stay connected – no referral necessary.

Connected Families

Social distancing and self isolation can be extremely difficult, but it can also be an opportunity to reconnect in some very innovative ways!

1. For parents and kids take this time to practice how to:
   
   • Tie your shoes
   • Read an analog clock
   • Follow a recipe or try a new dish
   • Make a meal plan and learn to grocery shop on a budget
   • Write a resume
   • Read together – reading is a great way to ask your kids question, discuss characters and experience the world through a good book.
     • You can access digital materials through the Fort Saskatchewan Public Library using your library card (you can call them to sign up for a card over the phone if you don't already have one)
   • Keep a journal or gratitude list and share what you’re thankful for.
   • Work together for positive change in the world. You can do this by writing a letter to your MLA, signing a petition, or joining an online group.
   • Teach your kids how to maintain a vehicle by checking the oil, changing a tire, or any other maintenance you know how to do.
   • Build physical literacy by doing yoga (YouTube is a great place to find videos) or playing sports in your backyard.
   • Get creative! Draw, colour, knit, crochet, cross-stitch, or sew or have your children teach you a craft they learned in school.
   • Talk to your family about self-care and what each person needs in order to stay mentally healthy.
2. Try something new:
   
   • Find out what everyone’s Love Language is
   • Spend time together without the internet. Unplug for a certain amount of time each day and limit screen time.
   • Encourage curiosity and have your kids research things they’re interested in such as a place they’d like to visit, a career they might like, a hobby they’d like to learn, or their favourite animal.
   • Try tackling a Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) challenge (build a tower, boat, bridge) out of materials around the house
   • Have each family member take turns hosting family game night
   • Chrome has an extension called Netflix Party that allows people to watch together at the same time with a chat window and a synced play/pause function
   • Try new interactive online trivia games that let you connect with others who aren’t in the same house (Jackbox.tv, TV trivia through DVDs like Scene It?)
   • FaceTime relatives during dinner time and share a meal together.
   • Try out family art night using only supplies you find around the house and get creative!
   • Break out the puzzles and work together until they’re complete.
   • Start a meditation practice – Headspace and Calm are great apps to get you started or you can try some of the guided meditations available on Spotify.
   • It takes 10, 000 hours to truly master something. Choose an activity you’ve always wanted to excel at and challenge yourself to practice one hour a day.
   • Choose your favourite story and listen as a family with Audible’s selection of free children’s books.
   • Keep kids moving and learning with fun activities and resources from Active for Life.

Connected Through Learning

There are many resources that can help families learn new skills:

• Home Science Kid is a resource put together by a science teacher who compiled a list of science related resources broken down by grade
• Another fantastic resource is Amazing Educational Resources that contains descriptions and links to tons of great information and activities – most of these are free!
• Draw along with this daily online illustrating session.
• Check out the Top 23 Online Courses in Canada through FutureLearn and sign up for an online class today!

Connected World

There are a ton of ways that you can see and experience the world from your living room:

1. Tour either these world-class museums or experience the best museums from London to Seoul.
2. Watch these classical music recorded live streams.

Stay well and stay perfectly, Fort Saskatchewan.