Building Roads Together: a peer-led, community-based walking and rolling peer support program for inclusion and mental h
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INNOVATIONS IN POLICY AND PRACTICE
Building Roads Together: a peer-led, community-based walking and rolling peer support program for inclusion and mental health Farah N. Mawani 1,2
&
Sureya Ibrahim 3
Received: 5 June 2019 / Accepted: 17 June 2020 # The Canadian Public Health Association 2020
Abstract Setting The program founder selected Regent Park for Building Roads Together© pilot program implementation because it is one of 31 neighbourhoods identified by the City of Toronto as a Neighbourhood Improvement Area based on a low Neighbourhood Equity Benchmark score indicating that it faces serious inequities requiring immediate action. In addition, Regent Park has a higher than average proportion of residents who are recent immigrants, and is Canada’s first social housing development undergoing a 25-year process of transformation to a mixed-income community. Community partners confirmed that Building Roads Together responded to community needs and complemented existing programs and supports. Intervention Building Roads Together is an award-winning community-based peer support walking and rolling program designed to promote inclusion and reduce health inequities. Strong bodies of evidence demonstrate that peer support, walking, and exposure to green space, each on their own or in combination, reduce social isolation and improve health and mental health. The program founder designed Building Roads Together based on this research evidence; a needs assessment including interviews, focus groups, and meetings; and her lived experience. Outcomes The needs assessment informed program design, including name, goals, approach, and curriculum. Building Roads Together includes the following phases: (1) Community engagement; (2) Partnership development; (3) Neighbourhood-based Walk the Talk Advisory Groups; (4) Peer Walking/Rolling Group Leadership Training; (5) Mentoring/Support; (6) Peer Walking/Rolling Groups. The training curriculum combines peer leadership, inclusion, and communication skills; practical skills required to create and manage a walking group; and information about urban green space. Implications In partnership with the Centre for Learning & Development Toronto and the Regent Park Community Health Centre, the program founder trained 42 peer walking group leaders and mentored multiple walking groups. Résumé Lieu Le fondateur du programme a choisi Regent Park pour la mise en œuvre du programme pilote Building Roads Together© car il s’agit de l’un des 31 quartiers identifiés par la ville de Toronto comme une zone d’amélioration du quartier sur la base d’un faible score de référence pour l’équité du quartier indiquant qu’il fait face à de graves iniquités nécessitant action immédiate. En plus, Regent Park a une proportion supérieure à la moyenne de résidents qui sont des immigrants récents, et est le premier ensemble de logements sociaux au Canada à subir un processus de transformation de 25 ans en une communauté à revenu mixte. Les partenaires communautaires ont confirmé que Building Roads Together répondait au
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