The Right Honourable Katherine Whittred met with caregivers in Duncan.

A local committee in Ladysmith was struck to actively pursue funds to hire a Community Guide in Ladysmith.

Raven and Giftie became Education Facilitators.

Garth, Maggie and Ranjana met with Graham Bruce to advocate for cargivers and introduce him to our services.

Advocacy on behalf of a caregiver with doctor, local MLA and pharmacy to meet her financial needs re: medication.

Advocacy on behalf of a caregiver with publilc trustee and other government offices to access a pension for their loved one suffering from Alzheimer's.

Caregiver, Sarah Walker and Ranjana met with Katherine Whitred, Cindi Hawkins, and Minister, Shirley Bond as a follow-up to the January meeting with Ms. Whitred.

A presentation was made to the Regional Health Authority to raise awareness of the need to support family caregivers, and the value of partnerships.

Fill your stress-release toolbox was the first of a series of workshops put on by the education facilitators.

In Ladysmith a variety show was produced as a fund-raising and awareness-raising event. Later in the year donations from Ladysmith Kinsmen and the Hospital auxiliary were gratefully received.

We developed and printed a new brochure and a one page information sheet reflecting our expanded services.

We began to explore, with local librarians, how best to integrate our caregiving material with them. Meetings resulted in Kathy jointly working with the library on a list of all books and videos to be available for caregivers.

A second workshop Anger: motivation for change was put on by the education facilitators.

The yoga program became independent. Although it was no longer under our umbrella we remained supportive of the program.

Other disease-specific support groups were contacted in order to prepare an up-to-date list of resources in the Cowichan Valley.

A meeting was held with the social worker at the Chemainus Health Centre to explore the possibility of a caregivers' support group in Chemainus. The proposal was endorsed by the social worker as well as caregivers.

Meetings were held with elders service staff and counsellors at Ts'ewulhtun Health Centre to explore the possibility of a support group for the First Nations community. There was strong support for the idea.

Dealing with anger was the third in the series of workshops presented by the education facilitators.

Throughout the year 2003: We attended meetings of the Education for Eldercare committee. Plans are underway for a day conference Change and Resilience in Later Life to be held in April 2004.