SCOOP MAY 2026
Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre
By Khaye Rufin
With the arrival of spring comes a season of growth, and at the Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre we are pleased to share several new and expanded services for our community. We are excited to welcome a Pregnancy Outreach Worker from the Shuswap Family Resource Centre. The Pregnancy Outreach Program is a free support service for pregnant individuals and families with young infants. The program focuses on perinatal and infant health and well-being, offering education, one-to-one support, and connections to community resources in an inclusive and welcoming environment. To book an appointment, please contact Tracy Wood, Pregnancy Outreach Worker, at (250) 832-2170 ext. 219 or by email at Tracy_wood@familyresource.bc.ca.
We are also pleased to announce that we have secured two years of funding through United Way BC to host monthly Seniors Luncheons. These events will feature guest speakers delivering educational sessions, as well as fitness activities, followed by a complimentary catered lunch for registered participants. Our first luncheon of the fiscal year was held at Shuswap Lake Estates, where trained responders from South Shuswap First Responders shared valuable information on emergency preparedness.
In May, we will host a seniors’ group walk in Sorrento led by instructors from JDY Fitness, followed by lunch at Zandunga Tacos. We will also hold an educational luncheon on May 26 at Sorrento Centre, featuring Jazmyn Evans from Grow & Change Horticultural Services. We look forward to welcoming additional guest speakers throughout the year and hosting events at various locations across the South Shuswap. For more information about our Seniors Luncheons, please email sshssprograms@gmail.com.
Beginning in June, we will welcome new counsellors who will offer mental health and grief support through individual and group sessions. We will also continue to provide one-on-one technology support to help improve digital literacy for those who need it. Please email cisrcbb@gmail.com for one-on-one computing help.
In addition, we are delighted to continue offering free JDY Fitness Workshops, funded through the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program. These weekly sessions provide a fun, safe, and social environment for participants. The low-impact classes are designed for older adults and individuals seeking a gentle form of exercise, incorporating seated or chair-supported movements. Each session includes a mix of strength training, low-impact cardio, balance and fall prevention exercises, stretching, and brain-engaging activities—helping participants build strength, confidence, and overall well-being.
At this time, we are actively seeking new board members. If you are interested in supporting our vision of bringing healthcare closer to home, please email cisrcbb@gmail.com to request an expression of interest form.
We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who attended, donated to, and sponsored our Spring Dance and Auction Fundraiser. Thanks to your generosity, we raised nearly $7,000 to support the ongoing operations of our centre.
Our Annual General Meeting will be held on June 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The location will be announced soon, please stay tuned for further details.
SCOOP APRIL 2026
April marks National Volunteer Week, and the South Shuswap Health Services Society would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the many dedicated volunteers who help keep our centre running year after year. From assisting with administrative tasks during LifeLabs clinic days to supporting our foot care services, their time, energy, and commitment make a meaningful difference. Quite simply, without our valued volunteers, we would not be able to offer the range of services our community depends on. We are always looking to grow our volunteer team. If you are interested in contributing your time and skills, please reach out to us by email at cisrcbb@gmail.com, by phone at 250-675-3661, or visit our website at www.sshss.ca. We would love to hear from you. We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to our sponsors and donors who made our Spring Dance and Auction Fundraiser such a tremendous success. Community support like this plays a vital role in sustaining and expanding the services we provide.
As we closed out our fiscal year, we were encouraged to see continued growth in the number of clients accessing our centre and its services. This reflects both the increasing need within our community and the trust placed in us to deliver accessible, quality care close to home.
Current Services at the Centre:
• LifeLabs Mobile Clinic (we also provide appointments for Fit Tests and ECGs) – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (by appointment; call 250-675-3661)
• Interior Health (IHA) Immunizations – To book, call 250-833-4101
• IHA Mental Health and Substance Use Services – Available Fridays (to book, call 250-833-4102)
• Foot Care Clinic – Provided by Sherry Lucas, LPN (to book, call 250-675-3661)
New and Upcoming Services:
We are pleased to share that we will soon be offering services for clients participating in the Pregnancy Outreach Program
through the Shuswap Family Centre. This exciting collaboration will bring prenatal and postnatal care closer to home for families in our community.
We are also proud to announce that we have secured grant funding to expand our programming for 2026/2027. Planned initiatives include:
• Mental health and grief support sessions
• One-on-one digital literacy tutoring
• Fitness classes for seniors
• Health education workshops
• Social and community-building activities
Further details and schedules for these programs will be shared throughout the year. Please keep an eye out for upcoming announcements through our social media channels, by subscribing to our email list, or by becoming a member of the society.
Looking ahead, we are committed to strengthening meaningful partnerships with local businesses and community organizations. By working together, we aim to enhance access to primary care services and continue building a healthier, more connected South Shuswap community.