Finding Purpose Through Participation: The Power of Resident Innovation at Berwick Parksville
There is a growing shift happening in our communities. People are not simply looking for a place to live, they are looking for a place to continue growing, contributing, learning, and connecting. More than ever, residents want opportunities to share their skills, passions, stories, and ideas with others.
Resident-Led Programs at Berwick Parksville
One of the most meaningful ways Berwick Parksville is supporting this is through resident-led programs and events. Jeannine Krefting, the Active Living Manager shares, “Our team works alongside residents by helping to prepare spaces, promote activities, and provide encouragement and support where needed. Beyond that, residents take ownership of their programs, bringing their unique passions, talents, and expertise to the community.”
Learning Never Retires: Robert’s Story
One resident, Robert Noon (photographed above), shares how learning never retires.
“For about ten years before Judi and I moved to Berwick Parksville last year, I had a passion: leading classes at the Society for Learning in Retirement in Kelowna and Elder College in Comox. The subjects were varied — anything from the economic history of the Great Depression to the frontiers of artificial intelligence, and even the practical realities of getting through checkout lines quickly. I simply found topics that captured my interest, did some research, and shared what I’d discovered in an informal, relaxed way. No lesson plans. No grades. Just curiosity.
At Berwick, I soon found a receptive audience of keen, engaged resident friends who naturally understand that learning doesn’t stop when your career does. On the contrary, retirement is the perfect landscape for exploration — a golden opportunity to dive into fascinating topics you simply never had the luxury of time to enjoy before.
Today I get enormous pleasure from structuring conversational lecture series. Aside from a bi-weekly Let’s Talk! discussion group exploring current issues of interest, I more recently hosted Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? — a four-week exploration of the Roaring Twenties and Dirty Thirties. The historical framework was the scaffolding, but the real magic happened when resident friends shared their own family memories from that era. Stories tumbled out that might otherwise never have been told — and that’s something no textbook can replicate.
I’m not a formally trained teacher, and that’s rather the point. If a resident — any resident — has a favourite topic or subject, a period of history, a craft, a skill, a passion, they already have everything they need to deliver a class or session to others. Berwick is alive with people whose fascinating lives, experiences, and knowledge deserve to be shared. For some, the only thing standing in their way is a fear of public speaking. Don’t think of it as a lecture. Think of it as a meaningful conversation among friends — because that’s exactly what it is.”
The Connection Between Purpose and Wellness
Having purpose is deeply connected to emotional and physical wellness at every age, but especially in later life. Studies consistently show that seniors who feel engaged and useful experience higher levels of happiness, stronger social connections, better cognitive health, and even improved longevity.
Resident-led programming helps answer an important question many seniors silently ask themselves:
“Do I still have something valuable to offer?”
The answer is always yes.
Sing-Along with Joanna: Music, Connection, and Community
When speaking to Joanna Schwarz, another Berwick Parksville resident program innovator, she shared the following, “When I moved to Parksville Berwick in (2023), I hadn’t played piano much in recent years. But the lovely grand piano there inspired me to start again and residents encouraged me further. The Berwick staff was open to ideas to involve the community. From there, the Sing-along with Joanna evolved and now anywhere from 30 to 50 residents attend each month. I am humbled and grateful to hear how much my music means to people. This keeps me motivated and helps me stay positive in my journey with Parkinson’s. I truly feel part of a special community.”
Instead of simply participating, at Berwick Parksville residents have become creators, leaders, teachers, mentors, organizers, and contributors.
That sense of ownership changes everything. These moments challenge outdated stereotypes about aging and remind everyone in the community that seniors continue to be vibrant, capable, and full of talent.
When residents help shape community life, retirement living becomes more than a service model, it becomes a collaborative community. The results can be transformational. Jeannine Krefting says “The impact has been extraordinary. Residents experience a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment as they share their knowledge, connect with their peers, and engage wider audiences within the community. Watching them gain confidence, build meaningful connections, and flourish in their leadership roles is both rewarding and inspiring. We are committed to fostering an environment where residents feel empowered to share their skills, experiences, and interests.”
Maximizing Lifestyle Wellness at Berwick Parksville
Life at Berwick is not about slowing down — it is about continuing to live meaningfully and as Robert eloquently shares “Our community grows richer every time someone steps up to share their story.”