The City of Lloydminster has officially launched their Social Needs Survey, and this time, there’s a new facet for young people.
The City’s Family and Community Support Services opened the online survey Monday morning, with the goal of seeing the social well-being of the community. On top of that, the survey also looks to also outline what residents want out of the City, so that Council and Administration can develop policies and programming.
Mayor Gerald Aalbers explains that Lloydminster’s unique bi-provincial status provides residents with many opportunities and challenges, and the survey can help evaluate existing programs and resources, and make qualified recommendations to address any identified service gaps.
The City also points to impacts that the data had when this survey was conducted in 2018. When over 57 percent of respondents identified substance abuse or addictions and mental health as a high priorities, the feedback impacted and informed the work of the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation’s Project Sunrise.
Feedback from residents via the Social Needs Survey also lead to the launch of Recreation Access Program, which allows low-income residents to receive a reduced rate on admission and membership to City Facilities and the Neighbourhood Block Party program, which fosters community belonging and has doubled in size since 2017.
Along with that, community ideas helped with the revision of the Lloyd Supports Directory, which made them more accessible, the City adds.
New this year is the youth component. Developed with the Lloydminster Youth Council, the Survey collected anonymous data from young people aged 13-17, which informed this part of the survey. Data from this part will inform the future development of Lloydminster Youth Council programming and initiatives.
Rylee Wood, Chair of the Lloydminster Youth Council says the young people of Lloydminster deserve to have their voices heard, and this survey gives them the opportunity and more pride in calling Lloydminster home.
The city notes the survey should only take about ten minutes and contains multiple-choice, drop-downs, and further comment sections. All residents over the age of 17 are encouraged to take the survey on the Lloyd Needs website. The comments and answers provided will be entirely confidential, they add.