#Successes from our Social Prescribing Conference: Current Practices & Community Conversations – See you again next year!
On Oct. 20th,we held the first virtual social prescribing conference of its kind in Ontario and across Canada! Over 300 people attended.
This conference had 2 plenaries: one on Black Social prescribing and one on the State of Social Prescribing Across Canada, presented by the Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing. There were 8 concurrent sessions on topics such as Social Prescribing for Older Adults, the Value of Social Prescribing in Clinical Practice, Climate Change Resistance, Arts, Culture and Wellbeing. There was also a “How to” workshop and activities to try such as – Pow Wow Work out, West African Dance and therapeutic colouring. Attendees received non-certified CME credits per session.
#Agenda:
Black Social Prescribing for Black Health
Speakers: Paul Bailey (Executive Director, Black Health Alliance), Cheryl Prescod (Executive Director, Black Creek CHC), Daniel Townsend (health equity and strategy consultant)
Short Description:
Structural racism is a determinant of health. How does it connect to poor health outcomes and food insecurity for Black households? We will present some clinical and policy perspectives on advancing Black health & dismantling anti-Black racism. What does a decolonized, Afro-Centric healthcare system look like? What does culturally safe programming look like? And how does social prescribing fit in?
Building Resilience: Climate and Equity Contexts of Social Prescribing - Presented by CASCADES
Speakers: Dakota Recollet (Cultural Safety Manager ICS & MHW Programs, Indigenous Primary Health Care Council), Imara Ajani Rolston (Assistant Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health), Selma Tobah (Community Development Worker, London InterCommunity Health Centre), Sonia Hsiung (Director, Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing)
Short Description:
Long-standing structural inequities make certain populations and communities more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and the impacts of climate change make pre-existing inequities even more profound. Because of this, antiopressive approaches to individual and community health should include mitigating and building resilience to climate change. Social prescribing is a promising pathway to building such climate resilience. Land-based, climate-friendly and restorative activities can be incorporated into community development and health promotion, and the incorporation of community development and health promotion into practice can reduce the carbon footprint of the health system.
Social prescribing: Leveraging the power of students
Speaker: Caitlin Muhl (PhD Candidate, Queen's University)
Short Description:
As the social prescribing movement gains momentum in Canada, there is a need to leverage the power of students. The Canadian Social Prescribing Student Collective launched in March 2022 to build the social prescribing student movement across the country. Join one of the Co-Founders and Co-Leads of the group, Caitlin Muhl, to learn about the social prescribing student movement and the ways in which students may support social prescribing efforts.
Fresh Food Prescribing: What is the community saying?
Speaker: Abby Richter (Registered Dietitian and Lead for Fresh Food Prescription Program, Guelph Community Health Centre & The SEED), Matthew Little (Assistant Professor in the School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria)
Short Description:
Panelists will share their experiences implementing a Fresh Food Prescription research program in a community-based, interdisciplinary healthcare setting. We will explore what our community and team are saying about how the integration of these programs in inter-professional health teams is supporting our underserved, equity deserving priority communities. Specifically, we will discuss facilitators that enhance equity care and access to our programs. Finally, we will evaluate the shortfalls of our current and past programs in tackling long-term solutions, such as income inequality.
Social Prescribing for Older Adults, presented by OACOA, Seniors Centre without Walls, City of Aurora
Speaker: Dena Silverberg (Project Coordinator, Links2Wellbeing, OACAO), Sue Hesjedahl (Executive Director, OACAO)
Short Description:
Learn about the Links2Wellbeing; Social Prescribing for Older Adults Project. We will share with you our successes, challenges and the benefits of social prescriptions to Seniors Active Living Centres. Seniors Active Living Centre programs offer in person, virtual and phone in opportunities for Older Adults to participate in Social, Recreational and Physical programs.
Watch | Presentation | Video
Growing Momentum: State of Social Prescribing Across Canada presented by CISP
Speaker: Sonia Hsiung (Director, Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing), Bobbi Symes (Assistant Director, Healthy Aging United Way of British Columbia), Lisa Stebbins (Chief Program Officer, carya), Connie Newman (Executive Director, Manitoba Association of Senior Communities), Paola Leal (Project Manager, Centre Eva Marsden Pour La Justice Sociale Et Le Vieillissement), Yordanos Woldemariam (Manager, Design Strategy, Bridgeable)
Short Description:
Social prescribing is now a global movement. More than 17 countries worldwide are engaged in the practice across sectors that include primary, secondary, rehabilitation, acute care, home care and community services. In Canada, social prescribing is quickly gaining the attention of governments decision makers, health practitioners, and community service providers. Join social prescribing leaders from across Canada to hear about the current state of this work and emerging opportunities in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec and elsewhere. Panel discussion will be hosted by the Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing (CISP), anchored by the Canadian Red Cross.
Pow Wow Workout
Speaker: Amanda Fox
The Value of Social Prescribing in Clinical Practice
Speaker: Natasha Beaudin (Social Prescribing Lead, Alliance for Healthier Communities), Dr. Gary Bloch (Family Physician, St. Michael’s Hospital), Dr. Jennifer Lawson (Family Physician, NorWest CHC), Dr. Dominik Nowak (Family Physician)
Short Description:
A panel of clinicians working in varied contexts share the benefits of social prescription in their practice. Delivered in the style of a “fireside chat”, these panelists will share what led them to social prescribing, some powerful examples of success as well as tangible resources. What are the surprising benefits of social prescribing? What enables successful clinical engagement? Watch this session to find out.
The Importance of Incorporating African Based Movement in Community Programming
Speaker: Zahra Harriet Badua (Dancer/Choreographer/Teacher, ZahraMoves)
Short Description:
Traditionally, West African movements (dance) are used in every pillar of an individual's existence as it is associated with every aspect of our lives. It is a tool to not only learn about your culture but understand how to navigate your purpose, life's journey and most importantly your healing. This presentation will explain how movement can be used to curate balance and harmony between our mind, body, soul and spirit. In addition, demonstrate how this can be transpired to our communities, either locally or on a global scale, and explain the health benefits of Traditional West African movements.
Social Prescribing: This Is How We Do It) Rexdale CHC, Guelph CHC
Speaker: Albesa Aliu (Health Promoter, Rexdale CHC) Althea Martin-Risden (Rexdale CHC), Karrie Cumming (Guelph CHC), Moderated by Natasha Beaudin
Short Description:
Two community health centres takes you through their process of implementing Social Prescribing, shares their successes, challenges and lessons learned.
Art, Culture & Well-being Community of Practice
Speaker: Rachel Robbins (Arts, Culture & Well-being Community of Practice), Sarah Robichaud (Dancing with Parkinson's Canada), Jessica Dargo Caplan (Dancing with Parkinson's Canada), Vanessa Smith (The Lullabye Project, The Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall), Alexandra Frank (The Lullabye Project, The Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall), Melissa Smith (Art Gallery of Ontario), Dr. Lucie Beaudry (Université du Québec à Montréal & the Centre for Interdisciplinary)
Short Description:
The Arts & Culture National Community of Practice is a volunteer-run network connecting individuals and organizations from the healthcare and arts & culture sectors who have a vested interest in social prescribing and other initiatives that sit at the intersection of arts and wellness. This panel presentation will provide a curated overview of current programs designed to bridge culture and well-being.
Watch | Presentation I | Presentation II
Key Note – Dr. Annemarie Assam
Click here to learn more about Social Prescribing!
For a selection of stories from the Links2Wellbeing project participants and clients, as well as a map of participating CHCs and SALCs, can be viewed in a virtual “community quilt” here.