Here are just a few UBC Wellbeing Strategic Initiatives-funded projects that have taken place over the past year, supporting UBC's commitment to become a health-and-wellbeing-promoting university. We look forward to seeing even more great projects in 2020!
Embracing Motherhood
Project Lear: Acadia Park
Hosted in Acadia Park, a student family residence at UBC’s Vancouver campus, Embracing Motherhood provides new and expectant mothers with the opportunity to connect with one another, and to share their experiences of motherhood in a safe and non-judgemental environment. Embracing Motherhood addresses a range of topics relevant to motherhood, including postpartum mental health, emotions, and creativity, and provided childminding support and snacks.
Mysterious Barricades
Project Lead: UBC School of Music
Mysterious Barricades is an annual live-streamed concert that brings together hundreds of Canadian musicians from across the country to offer support and hope to those in crisis, highlighting the power of music to connect people to one another and to break down barriers—even when it comes to talking about difficult subjects, such as mental illness. At UBC, Mysterious Barricades is collaboratively supported by the UBC School of Music, University Neighbourhood Association, and a number of community mental health partners.
UBC Wellbeing Challenge
Project Lead: UBC Recreation
The UBC Wellbeing Challenge is a fun, self-paced scavenger hunt that invites the UBC community to explore ways to move more and eat well on campus. In alignment with Move UBC (February) and Nutrition Month (March), the Wellbeing Challenge invites you to explore opportunities to nourish your body and be more active. Be sure to check out the latest UBC Wellbeing Challenge, which runs until April 29, 2020.
Musqueum Multisport and Physical Literacy Program
Project Lead: UBC Active Kids - Kinesiology
This program creates important opportunities for increased activity levels, socialization, and physical literacy for children and families who are Musqueum Band members. A collaboration between the Musqueum Band and the UBC School of Kinesiology Active Kids, the program also allows UBC Kinesiology students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to a real-life setting, and to improve cultural awareness.
Funding supported the integration of more cultural elements, recommended by Musqueum elders, as well as provided opportunities to connect over shared healthy food.
Graduate Student Wellbeing Ambassador Training
Project Lead: Health Promotion and Education
On UBC's Vancouver campus, many graduate students volunteer to support their peers in informal "wellbeing" roles. These students do not always have the benefit of formal training or a network to address the complex issues that many graduate students may face. The creation of a Graduate Student Wellbeing Ambassador program, helped fill a need amongst this community, in supporting their overall health and wellbeing. Funding was allocated to support a formalized training program to help Wellbeing Ambassadors gain the confidence and skills to support their fellow graduate students who are experiencng wellbeing challenges.