Helping communities build a culture of movement
In 2022, four communities across Nova Scotia began a journey to become more intentional about making simple movement part of everyday life.
Through the Make Your Move communities project, local leaders, organizations and residents explored what could make movement easier, more visible and more welcoming in their communities. Rather than following a single model, each community built on its own strengths, priorities and opportunities.
Since then, the project has grown to five communities, each testing ideas, building partnerships and learning what it takes to create a stronger culture of movement.
Their experiences are helping us understand what works, what communities can realistically influence and what others across Nova Scotia can learn from their journey.
Delivered in partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage, the project brings local leaders, organizations and residents together around movement.
The Healthy Tomorrow Foundation provides strategic leadership in communications, engagement and knowledge sharing for Make Your Move communities. We work with local physical activity leaders to strengthen community engagement, build partnerships, increase awareness and turn local experience into stories and insights that can inform and inspire action across Nova Scotia.
Explore the Make Your Move communities
See how five Nova Scotia communities are making movement easier.
For municipal physical activity leaders
Find resources to bring Make Your Move to your community.
For community members
Discover how you can help make movement happen where you live.
Five communities, five different approaches
Antigonish, Lockeport, New Glasgow, Wagmatcook First Nation and Yarmouth have each brought Make Your Move to life in ways that reflect their local strengths and priorities.
Municipal, Mi’kmaw and regional physical activity leaders have worked with organizations, decision-makers and residents to identify barriers and create opportunities for simple movement. These have included community walks, walking audits, active transportation initiatives, accessible public spaces, paddling, local events and partnerships that help people move and connect.
Explore the Make Your Move communities
Building a culture of movement in Antigonish documentary
What can happen when a community comes together around a shared vision for movement?
This short documentary shows how the Municipality of the County of Antigonish brought local leaders, organizations and residents together to make simple movement visible, welcoming and part of everyday community life.
Hear from Chief Administrative Officer Shirlyn Donovan about the visionary leadership, partnerships and practical actions behind the community’s transformation. Ellen Kehr, a mentor to the Make Your Move Communities project and former organization lead for Blue Zones Project Albert Lea in Minnesota, shares lessons from her community that achieved measurable health, social and economic results.
Together, their perspectives show how communities can learn from what works and adapt successful approaches to their own strengths, needs and priorities.
“Antigonish County has been a Make Your Move Community for several years and values the leadership of the Healthy Tomorrow Foundation in advancing this provincial initiative. The Make Your Move message encourages residents to take a few minutes every day to move through simple, natural, everyday movement. The initiative supports environments that motivate people to add movement into their daily routines and helps build a culture where movement is seen as part of everyday life, overall well-being and community connection.”
Meaghan MacNeil
Active Living Coordinator, Municipality of the County of Antigonish
Meet the Make Your Move communities
For municipal physical activity leaders:
Bring Make Your Move to your community
Make Your Move campaign resources are available free to municipal and regional physical activity leaders across Nova Scotia. Use them to promote existing opportunities, engage residents and partners, and connect local activities through one recognizable message.
Make Your Move in a Box
Make Your Move in a Box is a collection of ready-to-use and customizable marketing materials. It includes posters, banners, decals, social media content, radio and promotional materials, and ideas for encouraging movement throughout the day.
Community Activation Guide
The Community Activation Guide offers practical ideas and examples to help you engage residents, work with local partners and bring Make Your Move to life.
Accessing the materials
Review the Make Your Move brand guidelines and complete the included agreement to access Make Your Move in a Box. Contact our team if you need help choosing materials for your community.
For community members: Discover how you can help make movement happen where you live
We’re stronger when we move together, and it all starts with you. Join the movement that’s transforming communities across the province.
We all have the power to make a change. Anyone can help shape their neighbourhood! If you have an idea to make your community more active and better connected, you don’t have to wait for organizations or officials to take the lead – you can start making changes that matter to you and your neighbours now.
It might start with an invitation to walk, a garden plot shared with neighbours, an activity in a local park or a conversation about making a street safer and more accessible. These actions create opportunities for movement and give people a reason to come together.
You know your neighbourhood and the people who live there. By sharing an idea, inviting others to take part or speaking up for welcoming places to move, you can help shape your community. That is what citizen leadership can look like.
Imagine a Nova Scotia built for movement
When we move together, we strengthen our well-being, our connections and the communities we call home. Watch our inspirational video and imagine a healthier tomorrow where simple movement helps every Nova Scotian thrive.
Turn your ideas into action
Ready to take the next step? The Activate Your Neighbourhood Guide, created by the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, offers practical ideas for bringing neighbours together, making use of local spaces and leading community initiatives.
Start with something that matters to you. Invite others in who can help your idea grow.