The Region

Moving a community to a place where people are healthy, safe and cared for takes a concerted effort.    

The Bashaw Regional Wellness Initiative began in 2017, when leaders in the Bashaw community recognized that waiting for solutions to the challenges faced by their rural community was not an option.    

The initiative started with assessing needs, risk factors, analysis of the demographics and community assets in the region. They determined to focus their efforts across the same region served by the Bashaw RCMP detachment. This area includes towns, villages and a rural population bordered by four counties. It comprises of Alix, Bashaw, Buffalo Lake Estates, Donalda, Dorenlee, Edberg, Ferintosh, Meeting Creek, Mirror, Pelican Point and Tees. Bashaw is a natural hub in the geographic area and the Village of Alix is the second largest center. These communities are a part of a broad vision to bring responsive and accessible programs and services to a rural population.     

In 2018, the Bashaw Community Wellness Team was created in order to better meet the needs of individuals and families. This team includes Bashaw Adult Learning, Bashaw & District Support Services (B.D.S.S.), Bashaw Pharmasave, Bashaw RCMP, Bashaw School and Bashaw United Church.

To continue to develop and build capacity, early in 2020 the Alix Mirror Wellness Supports Society and the Alix Community Wellness Team were established; in 2021, a new office opened in Donalda, AB, to further expand services in the region. As a rural model for serving locally, wrap-around services help to reduce barriers and promote personal health and community well-being. Collaborative partnerships with individuals, agencies and organizations both inside and outside the community form the pillars of this work.  

Each Community Wellness Team is committed to serving their community. They meet regularly to ensure that needs are being met and to brainstorm possible solutions to ongoing challenges. The services provided include: 

Resource Navigation      

Information and Referral      

One-on-One Support    

Services are offered throughout the region in Bashaw, at the Bashaw & Area Community Resource Centre; in Alix, at the Alix and Area Community Resource Centre; and in Donalda, at an office in the Village Complex.