Council in conjunction with 2021 Citizen of the Year Dr Bill Gransbury and Flinders University have recently been successful in securing $50,000 in grant funding through the Government of South Australia's Healthy Towns Challenge, supported by Wellbeing SA. The project committee also includes representatives from Barossa and Districts Health Advisory Council and the Seeds of Hope Suicide Prevention Network.
The project, 'Steps to Better Health - Barossa', involves conducting a statistically valid survey using a questionnaire which identifies 19 factors of an individual's wellbeing, highlighting areas where access to supports or services may improve a person's health and wellbeing through building social connections and enriching their capacity for resilience.
Working toward combating social isolation and building positive mental health is a priority for Council, the Steps to Better Health project will increase individuals' capacity for connection, inclusion and developing local support networks.
During October a team of field researchers will be visiting various community locations across the Barossa, including Barossa Central, Tanunda and Angaston Foodland and the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market, as well as door-knocking across smaller townships, to provide people with the opportunity to complete the survey.
"We strongly encourage you to participate in the survey as we need information about how our community is faring during these challenging times," said Mayor Lange.
The de-identified data, will be analysed by Flinders University, and will then be utilised for future social planning purposes to advocate for improved local supports to address matters such as mental health, housing and homelessness, social isolation, food security and domestic violence within the Barossa region.
