April 2024 Newsletter
In this issue
- Canada's Social Prescribing Conference: Early Bird Tickets
- Social Prescription for Care Initiative Kickoff
- Research in Focus: Social Prescribing Webinar Series
- Social Prescribing for Children & Youth
- Research & Publications
- Social Prescribing in the News
- Community of Practice
- Stay Connected with Us!
A Social Prescription for Care:
New Pan-Canadian Social Prescribing Initiative Aims to Improve the Well-being of Caregivers Across the Country
The Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing is thrilled to announce that we are embarking on an exciting caregiver-focused collaboration with the
Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE) to continue supporting the evolving landscape of social prescribing in Canada. Through a $1.8 million investment over two years, CISP will be working closely with
Caregivers Alberta,
Caregivers Nova Scotia,
Family Caregivers of British Columbia, and the
Ontario Caregiver Organization on demonstrative initiatives to enhance health and wellbeing opportunities for caregivers in each province. For more information, please read the official media release below.
Social Prescribing Webinar Series:
Research in Focus
We recently hosted a dynamic webinar series
"Research in Focus" aimed at advancing knowledge mobilization and engaging researchers and social prescribing enthusiasts in compelling conversations that will help shape the future direction of social prescribing.
Each session delved into critical topics, fostering insightful discussions and learnings. We explored the mapping of current evidence on social prescribing in Canada, conducted a comprehensive Pan-Canadian Policy Scan, delved into the social prescribing needs of seniors, and finally, uncovered the keys to successful codesign processes. While the series has concluded, fret not, as we'll soon be sharing recordings for those eager to catch up on these enriching discussions. Stay tuned for more updates!
Social Prescribing for Children & Youth at the Vanier Social Pediatric Hub
The Vanier Social Pediatric Hub's social prescribing team has been busy implementing a social prescribing program for children and youth. In this program, participants collaborate with their connector, typically a social worker, to discuss their individual priorities and needs.
Together, they craft a personalized "social prescription" recommending non-medical community activities such as soccer classes, arts and crafts programs, or music lessons. The connector plays a vital role in supporting participants to fulfill their social prescription by identifying and overcoming any obstacles they may encounter. The newly released video linked below, offers a glimpse of Canada's first social prescribing pilot for children and youth at the Vanier Community Services Centre between 2023 to 2024.
Research & Publications
- Effects of social prescribing for older adults: An evidence and gap map. E. Tanjong Ghogomu, V. Welch, et al., Campbell Systematic Reviews, February 2024.
- Social prescribing for children and youth: A scoping review protocol. C. Muhl, K. Mulligan, et al., PLoS ONE, March 2024.
Social Prescribing in the News
- A new initiative offers long-overdue mental health and social support for caregivers. CBC Ontario Morning, March 2024.
- Canada has a loneliness 'problem.' How a Toronto hospital aims to tackle it. Global News, January 2024.
- How to fix Canada's loneliness epidemic, according to a public health expert. Reader's Digest: Best of Health, February 2024.
- Social prescribing: A new approach to healthcare. CTV News, Ottawa, January 2024.
Community of Practice
The Canadian Social Prescribing Community of Practice is a collaborative, interdisciplinary collective of people in discussion about how to implement and/or embed social prescribing in health and social systems. It's a place where people who implement social prescribing initiatives or advocate for the social prescribing movement, can convene, connect and learn from each other.
With cross-sectoral members from the arts, health care promotion, academia, and other sectors, this Community of Practice is co-hosted by the Alliance for Healthier Communities, the Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing, United Way British Columbia and the Older Adult Centres Association of Ontario.
Quarterly meetings are recorded and held at 9:30 a.m. PST/12:30 p.m. EST on the second Tuesday of the month in January, April, July and October. Summary notes are provided after each meeting to all members of the CoP. Please email communications@allianceon.org for more info on how to join.
