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First-ever West Coast Wellness Market coming up this Sunday in Tofino

The theme is ‘Connection’ and the free, interactive event promises to hold something special for all
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Westcoast Community Resources Society peer support and addictions worker Tristan Godberson invites everyone to the first-ever West Coast Wellness Market at Tofino’s Village Green on Sunday, April 24. (Nora O’Malley photo)

On Sunday, April 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tofino’s Village Green will come to life with an inaugural West Coast Wellness Market.

The theme of the first market is ‘Connection’ and the free, interactive event promises to hold something special for everyone.

“We want to support you however we can. The Wellness Market is all about providing a space for people to learn about all these different services we have on the Coast,” said Westcoast Community Resources Society’s outreach worker Tristan Godberson.

Partners include Gaia Grocery, Surf Sister, Island Health, Huu-Miis & Tuhmapt Counselling Services, Tofino Recreation, Tofino Yoga, Manke Kayak, Surfrider, West Coast Multiplex, the Tofino School of Fitness, and more. Transport options will be available for people living in Ty-Histanis, Ahousaht or Opitsaht, if needed.

Godberson, who has a background in nursing, said isolation during COVID-19 has unearthed a lot of struggles around mental health and addiction. He hopes the Wellness Market will cultivate healthier communities, and give folks the opportunity to connect in an informal space.

“The underlying idea is just to start those conversations around mental health and wellness. A big part of community health is meeting the community where they are at through providing access to services and programs,” he said.

For Godberson, connection is about any kind of contact.

“It’s about the people and spaces around me who uplift me and who I can confide in, whether that’s humans or my dog or nature,” he said.

The West Coast Wellness Market will run all summer long, bouncing between Tofino and Ucluelet, on opposite days from the artisan market. The first Wellness Market in Ucluelet is set for Saturday, May 28.

A big piece of the Wellness Market is collaboration, notes Godberson, so if you’re a wellness provider on the Coast that would like to get involved, email tristan@wccrs.ca.



nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca

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