How the NS Quality of Life Initiative Began
How did the NS Quality of Life Initiative Get Started?
The NS Quality of Life Initiative began with us getting curious about a question: What if there is a better way to measure how we’re doing?
People across Nova Scotia shared their interest and input about this idea. A part of that better way revealed itself to be a survey. Before we knew it, Engage was undertaking that survey. It was made possible by the support of partners in every corner of the province and every sector - as well as our research partner: the Canadian Index of Wellbeing.
Since the release of the survey results, we have been striving to get them into the hands of as many people as possible - to make sense of them with us, give them meaning, and bring data points to life through stories, ideas, and actions.
How are people using the survey results?
We’re hearing that people are:
Analyzing survey results to answer questions
Citing them in reports and funding proposals
Talking about results with others
Visualizing them through maps and graphs, and;
Applying them to strategies, policies, and programs.
Like the survey results, the Initiative is in the hands of many people.
And it’s a long-term commitment - a ‘many years’ commitment we like to say - to asking questions (not just through the survey but of each other) and to improving the quality of life of the people who live here.
Survey by the numbers
People surveyed from May - July 2019
230 questions across 8 domains of wellbeing
Almost 13,000 people responded
16% response rate (wow!)
Many, many possibilities for analysis
With this evidence, we can make better decisions that reflect where the need is highest and how our efforts can be greatest.