YMCA BC, which serves 150,000 individuals in hundreds of locations across the province, has never been more committed to improve wellness through belonging, after a new study commissioned by YMCA Canada shows that Canadians are looking for more in terms of health – with a larger focus than ever on connection as a key element in overall well-being.
The study, conducted by Angus Reid in the fall of 2024, shows that:
- 60% of Canadians report feeling a sense of belonging in the community where they live, either ‘only sometimes’ or ‘not at all.’
- Among employed Canadians and students, two-in-five interact with people outside of work or school two days a week or less, with 14% seeing someone less than once a week.
- This includes 43% of British Columbians who participated in the survey.
- Among working Canadians who completed the survey, BC saw the highest percentage of those who work remotely (34%) three or more days per week.
- Most Canadians recognize the value of third places, with nine-in-ten believing these spaces play a crucial role in building a strong community and contributing to the well-being of residents, and three-in-four agreeing that a third place is essential for their personal well-being.
Third places, a concept popularized in the 1980s, are places that are not home or work, where people connect with friends and neighbours and feel welcome and a sense of connection and community—a role the YMCA and its Health, Fitness and Aquatic (HFA) centres are uniquely qualified to play.
“Across the province, our YMCA BC HFA centres offer a range of programs like group fitness classes such as yoga, aquafit, and cyclefit, personal training programs, and child, youth and family focused programming—all of which are designed to promote belonging, friendship, and connection to the community,” said Simon Adams, Vice President – Member Acquisition and Regional Centre Operations, YMCA BC.
And because the YMCA knows that not everyone can access an in-person HFA centre consistently, they also offer Y@HOME+— a comprehensive virtual platform free for members or for a small-fee for non-members. Y@HOME+ offers access to hundreds of programs that can be done at home, including hundreds of on-demand fitness videos, monthly challenges, healthy recipes & meal plans, family activities, and wellness and health programs.
“We want to make it as easy and inclusive as possible for British Columbians of all ages and stages to be a part of our welcoming community and to reach their wellness goals,” says Adams.
That’s why now until the end of March, new members can take advantage of their first month free at a YMCA branch and experience everything the YMCA has to offer as a third place—from classes to connections to virtual connections!
For more information about YMCA BC and to take advantage of first month free promotion a at the Prince George Family YMCA, visit: nbc.ymca.ca
To learn more about the Y@HOME+, please visit: ymcahome.ca