About SRCHN

Sooke Region Communities Health Network (SRCHN)

Since 2003, the Sooke Co-operative Association of Service Agencies (CASA) and the grassroots Sooke Region Community Health Initiative (CHI) have worked together to benefit the Sooke Region from Port Renfrew to Beecher Bay on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. In 2016, the two merged their resources and officially became Sooke Region Communities Health Network (SRCHN).

About the Sooke Region Communities Health Network (SRCHN)

SRCHN operates as a cooperative non-profit organization with charitable status, which allows it to manage its own grant funding and to act as an umbrella organization for other voluntary groups. SRCHN has open membership to individuals and organizations, has a Board of Directors who assume a leadership and governance role for a pre-determined period. A new voting member category has also been added, allowing interested residents and organizations to take part in the Board’s decisions. We also have several working Committees that bring together interested community residents and other experts to concentrate on new initiatives.

SRCHN Network

SRCHN strongly promotes community engagement and relies on local people to bring their ideas to the table. SRCHN collaborates with organizations like Island Health, the University of British Columbia and the South Island Division of Family Practice, and with funding organizations such as the Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island to inform and support the work that it does. In addition, SRCHN has an excellent working relationship with regional and municipal governments. Since 2014 we have have had a funding agreement with Island Health for a part time coordinator position.

Active SRCHN members are affiliated with the Pacific Centre Family Services Association, District of Sooke, West Coast Family Medical Clinic, Sooke Family Resource Society, Sooke & Electoral Area Parks & Recreation Commission, and the Island Health Authority. These members represent the communities of T’Sou-ke Nation, East Sooke, Sooke, Otter Point, Jordan River, and Port Renfrew. We also collaborate closely with the Sc'ianew (Cheanuh) and Pacheedaht First Nations.

Service Agreements

We work closely with the local, regional and provincial authorties to improve the health and wellbeing of the regional population.

District of Sooke

The District of Sooke has entered into a Service Agreement with the SRCHN to provide the following services:

Sooke Region Resource website

Website improvements, updates and maintenance

Age Friendly Committee for Sooke

Develop planning and/or activities to achieve official provincial status for Sooke as an Age Friendly Community

Seniors/Youth/Community Activity Centre

Identify the needs of the community
Initiate and facilitate community forum/s or other opportunities to discuss development of a community activity centre, and to inform Council on this initiative
Solicit partnerships and engage support from interested potential partner organizations

Primary Health

Address issues identified through the Primary Health Care Working Group and Mayor‘s Panel, Community Health and Social Initiatives
Maintain and further develop relationships at regional and provincial levels for community health initiatives

Volunteer Initiatives

Explore funding opportunities to implement OCP identified Volunteer initiatives and activities that promote Sooke‘s claim as the Volunteer Capital of Canada

Island Health

Island Health (formerly VIHA) has been an avid supporter of our organization, matching funds provided by the District of Sooke to fund our activities. As of 2014, Island Health has provided funding for a part-time coordinator's position to further collaboration and increase opportunities for the region.

Island Health, along with the District of Sooke, co-chair the Sooke Health Care Committee, which works to address health issues in the Sooke Region. In this capacity, SRCHN, Island Health, the District of Sooke, and other partners have been working towards the establishment of a community health centre in Sooke. In March 2023, the Ministry of Health announced funding of the Sooke Region community health centre, which is intended to open Summer 2025. SRCHN and its partners will be working towards this goal.

SRCHN Membership

As we are a cooperative, membership to SRCHN is $20.00, but is reimbursed when you no longer wish to be part of our organization.

REQUEST TO JOIN

Funding

We have proactively applied for grants, but we encourage the possibility to enter into collaborations with funding entities to ensure holistic, durable, sensible and self-sustaining projects.

We are grateful for the financial support from: