Community and Wellness Programs
Fostering an inclusive environment to help you achieve your best health
An optimal environment for progress to take place is one centred on respect and inclusivity. We offer community and wellness programs that empower people and communities to gain control and achieve their best health.
Health promotion focuses on addressing the factors that affect people’s health. These factors include the Determinants of Health and Canadian Index of Well-being domains and indicators:
Determinants of Health
- Income and social status
- Social support networks
- Education and literacy
- Employment and working conditions
- Healthy physical environments
- Social environments
- Healthy child development
- Health services access
Canadian Index of Well-being
- Community vitality
- Demographic engagement
- Environment
- Education
- Leisure and culture
- Healthy populations
- Living standards
- Time use
By addressing these factors, our health promoters coordinate and facilitate a range of programs including exercise, community education and support groups. These programs are aimed to improve the lives and well-being of all participants, including those with chronic diseases or disabilities.
Exercise Programs
Functional Fitness Exercise Program
Designed for seniors with limited mobility, are new to exercise, or face chronic health conditions. This program is run by our Centre’s kinesiologist.
Community Room at GBACHC
1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays
For more information, contact
Julie Datars
Kinesiologist
519-238-2362 x 243
Available in the fall, winter and spring.
Gentle Exercise Program
Stretching, strength and gentle aerobics using chairs and the wall. A great program for individuals who are new to exercise or have some physical limitations.
Community Room at GBACHC
11a.m. – 12 p.m., Mondays and Thursdays
Available in the fall, winter and spring. There is no fee for this program.
Healthy Lifestyle Program
Includes a warm up, low impact aerobic exercises to music, strength work and stretching.
GBACHC in the upstairs Community room 9 a.m., Mondays and Thursdays
Port Franks at the Port Franks Community Centre 9 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays
Equipment requirement:
Clean pair of running shoes
Yoga mat (optional)
Available in the fall, winter and spring. There is no fee for this program.
Line Dancing
The perfect combination of fun and exercise.
Port Franks Community Centre
8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m., Tuesday and Thursday
Equipment requirement:
Dry, clean shoes comfortable to dance in
Available in the fall, winter and spring. There is no fee for this program.
Pinery Trail Walkers (Outdoor) & Walking for Wellness (Indoors)
Outdoor and indoor walking programs using the trails in Pinery Park and the Galleries in the Lambton Heritage.
Outdoor walk:
Lambton Museum parking lot, carpool to Pinery Provincial Park 9:30 a.m., Wednesdays
Indoor walk:
Lambton Museum
Outdoor program available year round.
Indoor program available in the winter and spring.
Senior Mens Strength Classes
The program combines moderate free weights with exercise to improve upper and lower body strength and is facilitated by trained volunteers
Run on Mondays and Thursdays in Grand Bend and Tuesday and Thursday mornings in Port Franks
Equipment requirement:
Dry, clean shoes and comfortable clothing
Available in the fall, winter and spring. There is no fee for this program.
For our Functional Fitness program, contact
Julie Datars
Kinesiologist
519-238-2362 x 243
For all other exercise programs, contact
Cindy Maxfield
Health Promoter
519-238-2362 x 231
Community Education Programs
Alzheimer Caregiver Support
If you are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer Disease, you also need to care for yourself. Join others in this supportive environment.
GBACHC boardroom
1 p.m. and 7 p.m., first Monday of every month
1-800-561-5012
www.alzheimer.ca/huroncounty
Available in the fall, winter and spring. There is no fee for this program.
Alzheimers Minds in Motion
The Alzheimer Society of Huron County and our Centre offer an eight-week exercise and social recreational program for people with dementia and their caregivers.
GBACHC Community Room
Thursday afternoon
1-800-561-5012
www.alzheimer.ca/huroncounty
For fee and program info, contact Alzheimer Society.
Blood Pressure Clinic
Have your blood pressure monitored every month by a trained volunteer.
GBACHC Day Centre Wing
2 p.m. – 4 p.m., last Thursday of every month
For more information, contact
Cindy Maxfield
Health Promoter
519-238-1556 x 231
There is no fee for this program.
Canadian National Institute for the Blind Low Vision Clinic
A drop-in clinic to provide the latest information and devices to help those with vision loss.
GBACHC Adult Day Wing
10 a.m. – 2 p.m., second Thursday of every second month starting in December.
There is no fee for this program.
Choices for Change, Addiction Counselling Services
Assessments and treatments for people with substance abuse and gambling issues. Adults, youth and family counselling are available.
Services available at both the Grand Bend site and Hensall site
Self-refer to this program by calling:
1-877-218-0077 x 1
Parkinson’s Support Group
A supportive and encouraging group aimed to enhance knowledge on specific topics related to Parkinson’s disease and provide opportunities to talk, ask questions and share resources.
For more information, contact our Occupational Therapist at
519.238.1556 x 241
This group has been established in partnership with the Parkinson’s Society – London Chapter
Persistent Pain Management and Support Group
A 6-week program dealing with topics such as:
What is chronic pain?
Managing medications
Stress management
Relaxation techniques
Better sleep
For more information, contact
Mickey Gurbin
Registered Social Worker
519-238-1556 x 223
Available in the fall and spring. There is no fee for this program.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers Workshop
This 6-week program helps caregivers learn strategies to take better care of themselves and learn more effective ways of coping with the stress of caregiving. Participants are taught and encouraged to set weekly action plans in order to reduce feelings of powerlessness and find ways of seeking solutions in their roles.
For further information contact Mickey Gurbin RSW at 519-232-2362 x223
Currently, this program is being offered virtually.
Smoking Cessation Individual or Group
Our Centre, in partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) offers the Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients (STOP) program that provides smoking cessation treatment including counselling support and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (patch, gum, inhaler and lozenge) free of charge, for people who want to quit smoking.
For more information, contact
Peter Morrissey
Registered Respiratory Therapist
519-238-2362 x284
There is no fee for this program.
Seasons of COVID-19: Strategies to decrease Stress & Anxiety
The Seasons of COVID-19 workshop was created in response to the increasing amount of stress and anxiety felt by community members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this virtual workshop, participants learn strategies to help deal with their stress and anxiety with the help of the social work team.
To learn more about the program, contact Mickey Gurbin at 519-238-2362 x223
Currently, this program is being offered virtually.
Sunset Cinema
Community Room at GBACHC
7:30 p.m., first Thursday of every month
For more information, contact
Cindy Maxfield
Health Promoter
519-238-1556 x 231
There is no fee for this program, but donations are gladly accepted.
Available in the fall, winter, and spring
Your Resilient Child: Strategies to Decrease Anxiety
This virtual program will assist participants and their children to understand the signs and symptoms of childhood anxiety.
During this program, both will learn how to create a calming environment through mindfulness and expressive arts while strengthening children’s self esteem and communication skills. The group is facilitated by the social work team.
If interested in joining, contact Mickey Gurbin at 519-238-2362 x223
Currently, this program is being offered virtually.