The Building Capacity Project Newsletter
As autumn passes its glowing torch onto winter, the Building Capacity Project team has been busy harvesting ideas and wisdom, and enriching community connections. Read on for more details.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
COLLECTIVE STORY HARVEST EVENT
October 2024
Vancouver’s BCP research team hosted a “Collective Story Harvest” networking event in mid-October at St. John’s College on the beautiful grounds of the University of British Columbia, on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Traditional Territory.
Three community partners participated as “storytellers,” sharing the stories of their communities, their initiatives, and their efforts to make their communities more inclusive of people who live with dementia and their care partners. They each spoke to a different group of twelve “wisdom catchers,” who listened actively for specific themes and shared back to the storytellers what they heard related to their theme. When the groups were done sharing their insights, the wisdom catchers gathered in “theme” groups (themes included elements like “obstacles”, “breakthrough moments” and “leadership”) to compare ideas. In the end, all groups came back together to share what they had learned across all the stories and harvest the collective wisdom.
The event was rich in insight and excitement, and participants left feeling inspired to continue the important work they do in community.
ASK FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY OPEN HOUSE
ASK Friendship Society hosted an open house for the community on October 29th at their new location: the ground floor of Vancouver Coastal Health Dogwood Care home on Paulson Street. They moved into this location last fall.
ASK’s new Executive Director, Meena Amlani, welcomed a crowd of residents, families, community partners, organizational champions, and supporters, inviting them to tour the day-program facility and learn more about the fantastic combination of activities and amenities offered. Former Executive Director, Miranda Hayley, flew in from Nova Scotia, and was overjoyed to see familiar faces. The event was a beautiful success!
CARE PARTNER WORKSHOP
The Sunshine Coast Resource Centre and Gibsons Seniors Society have partnered up to offer a series of workshops on Brain Health and Memory Changes this fall. The latest one, called “Caregivers: Caring for Yourself and Those You Love, Sharing Our Experiences” took place October 29th. It was well attended and participants valued the chance to share their joys and challenges in a supportive environment.
The next one, “Dementia Myths and Misconceptions, Living the Good Life with Dementia, Embracing Inclusion with Dementia” happens November 26th at Harmony Hall. For more information, please contact Gibsons Seniors Society at gsshhall@gmail.com.
ONTARIO
THUNDER BAY
BUILDING CONNECTIONS AT THE ROOTS COMMUNITY CENTRE!
Thunder Bay’s BCP research team recently hosted a booth at the Roots Community Centre on October 16, raising dementia awareness and strengthening community connections conversing with residents.
Inspired by the event’s success, we aim to make participation at Roots Seniors + Elders Meals a regular event. In addition, we have been invited to give presentations at Bay View Towers, which is part of the Oasis Program driven by older tenants. The program encourages best practices for living well with age. That includes aging-in-place via physical activities, socialization, and nutrition.
For more information, contact Research Coordinator Jiaqi Li at jli12393@lakeheadu.ca.
SUCCESSFUL SEED COLLECTION DAY
AT ADELAIDE BUTTERFLY GARDEN!
On October 18, Thunder Bay’s BCP research team hosted a delightful “Seed Collection Day” at the Adelaide Butterfly Garden, where five participants joined local expert Leola in learning how to collect seeds from native plants like the Obedient Plant.
Despite the small group, we had a fantastic time exploring the garden and gathering seeds. With more flowers expected to bloom soon, we hope to organize another seed collection day in the near future.
UPCOMING EVENTS
THUNDER BAY
November 3, 10 and 17
Explore Creativity & Connection at the Wayfinding Writing Workshop!
Thunder Bay’s BCP team invites care partners to a special writing series on November 3, 10, and 17 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Dementia Café: A Place to Belong, hosted at Urban Abbey.
These free workshops offer a welcoming space to explore creative expression through words and music, using “wayfinding” as a metaphor to navigate the caregiving journey. Join us for one or all sessions—each brings unique activities and an optional opportunity to share your work. No experience needed!
Contact Research Coordinator Jiaqi Li at jli12393@lakeheadu.ca for details.
November 22
CERAH x LCRA Seeds for Conservation Event
Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA) and the Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health (CERAH) are teaming up to host Seeds for Conservation on Friday, November 22nd. Held at 130 Conservation Road, Thunder Bay, this free event will run from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM and promises to be a knowledgeable, hands-on experience supporting the Dementia Garden.
Attendees can look forward to a short presentation, a Q&A session, engaging seed-cleaning activities, and a complimentary lunch. Spaces are limited, and attendees are asked to RSVP by emailing dementia.cafe@lakeheadu.ca.
VANCOUVER
November 26
Workshops on Brain Health and Memory Changes.
“Dementia Myths and Misconceptions, Living the Good Life with Dementia, Embracing Inclusion with Dementia” is happening on November 26th at Harmony Hall.
For more information, please contact Gibsons Seniors Society at gsshhall@gmail.com.
November 28
Memory Buddy Celebration
Kitsilano Neighbourhood House is hosting a Memory Buddy Celebration November 28th for program participants, their care partners, and buddy volunteers to highlight the amazing connections they’ve made. The program continues to grow, relate, and respond to participants’ needs and priorities in individualized ways that cater to each person’s specific context.
The celebration will take place at Kitsilano Neighbourhood House from 4-6, and will feature a photo memory activity, great food, and fun. For more information, please contact Kitsilano Neighbourhood House at frontdesk@kitshouse.org
The Building Capacity Project team is so grateful to all the amazing people who have made these events and initiatives possible, to all those advocating for—and as—people with lived experience of dementia, and to the community champions tirelessly driving progress and inspiring others to get involved.
Thank you for reading and please check back every two months for more updates!
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