Nelson’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic:
An Audio Documentary

Introduction: During the recent pandemic, vulnerable populations

Objective: To increase awareness

experiencing homelessness were impacted severely. Nelson
responded by implementing a camp based on the housing first model
in the summer months to support this population.

of people living on the margins of
society and reduce stigma related to
homelessness.

Amanda Sigurdson and Emmett Deuling:
Year 4 Nursing students in University of Victoria at
Selkirk College

Acknowledgments:

-Our field Guide, Ryall Giuliano,
Outreach worker with Nelson Street
Outreach.
-The NPD and Paul Burkart.
-Andree Patenaude of Nelson Cares.
-Residents and workers of the camp
who shared their voices.
-Our instructors, Nicole Brown and
Shannon Shah

Recommendations:
Students in 2021 can review the
response to the camp from the
perspective of users, supporters
and the broader community to
identify how to support
vulnerable populations in the
future.

Actions/ Process:
Ø Identify key people involved in the camp.
Ø Using semi-structured interview
techniques, interview and record people
who lived in the camp, people who
worked in the camp, and community
leaders influential in starting the camp.
Ø Listen to the audio and note themes that
emerge.
Ø Write and record an audio documentary
highlighting the camp.
Ø Make the documentary accessible by
approaching local media and community
service organizations to host the audio.