West Elgin
Executive Summary
Social and economic inclusion is based on an understanding that a variety of conditions exist and interact to exclude people in many groups and sub-populations in our society. Inequality is frequently associated with spatial inequalities associated with rural-urban differences, as well as conditions and vulnerability based on age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and other life circumstances. Social and economic inclusion focusses on these inequities as an issue of ‘closing the distance’ between sub-groups and the larger society. In particular, the research completed in Elgin County provides a foundation for asking: Does rural make a difference?
Social Inclusion is the focus of a provincial project funded by Health Canada. Within Ontario, there are five regional projects, each addressing an aspect of social inclusion, e.g., housing for marginalised populations (Kingston), immigrants and visible minorities (Peel County), children and families (Sudbury). The Elgin County research project (SEII-EC) is part of the Central West regional project (SEII-CW), which is addressing issues of social inclusion related to seniors and youth. The Central West project includes the Region of Waterloo and Brant County. SEII-EC, under the leadership of the West Elgin Community Health Centre, is part of these regional and provincial initiatives.
The SEII projects examine issues of exclusion and create strategies and resources to increase capacity for action to reduce barriers to participation. Underpinning these projects is a belief that people can mobilise and develop healthy public policies and practices that foster social and economic inclusion, and thereby improve the conditions needed for good health. This belief is grounded in the notion that many factors contribute to the health of people, including income and social status, social support networks, employment and working conditions, education, gender, culture, physical and social environments, and other determinants of health.
In Central West Ontario, the issue of isolation in relation to social and economic exclusion in urban and rural areas was an important theme in roundtable discussions attended by organisation representatives between February and December 2002. When considering the lived experience of isolation, youth and seniors were identified as population groups most affected by an apparent breakdown of connections and social supports.
The aim of the SEII project in Elgin County is to build local capacity by examining conditions promoting social and economic inclusion for seniors and youth. The project process engages youth, seniors, local leaders, and partners in informal discussions at a series of Table Talks. The knowledge gained about barriers will be used to develop audit tools, indicators, and action planning strategies based on a combination of personal perspectives and secondary data.
Douglas Graham, Executive Director of the West Elgin Community Health Centre, approached Prof. Tony Fuller, University of Guelph, to implement the outreach portion of the SEII-EC project. The methods used were adopted from and consistent with those of the Central West project. Focus group sessions (Table Talks) were designed as informal, free-flowing discussions. Matters of inclusion were addressed using an assets-based approach, focussing as much as possible upon the skills, strengths, and resources of local people.
Overall, the SEII-EC Table Talks were successful. The Talks brought together youth and seniors to discuss social inclusion as an issue of public health in forums convened across Elgin County (Table 1). Nine Table Talks were convened in West Elgin, East Elgin, and St. Thomas. In total, 75 people participated in a process that built upon existing networks, formed new connections, and created a pool of resources for future initiatives. More seniors than youth participated and more females than males participated.
Table 1. Summary of Table Talks
| Location | Participants | |||
| Female | Male | Total | ||
| East Straffordville Aylmer |
Seniors Youth Seniors Youth |
10 3 13 2 |
4 0 1 1 |
14 3 14 3 |
| Central St. Thomas | Seniors Seniors Youth |
4 5 4 |
4 1 1 |
8 6 5 |
| West West Lorne | Seniors Youth |
6 8 |
3 5 |
9 13 |
| Total | 55 | 20 | 75 | |
The Table Talks resulted in two narratives, one about youth and one about seniors. These narratives focus upon the positive aspects of inclusion, while recognising the possibility and actuality of being excluded. These narratives, which are presented in this report, represent the culmination of the Table Talk sessions.
The social inclusion research completed in Elgin County will contribute to ongoing efforts to integrate principles of social inclusion into public policy. Locally, SEIIEC will act as a catalyst for future decisions about improving conditions needed for good health. The work completed in Elgin County will also provide a learning tool for the Central West regional project.