Welcome to Social and Community Well-Being, where the strength of our connections and the vibrancy of our communities play a pivotal role in our overall well-being. Here, we delve into the power of human interaction, empathy, and collective support. Discover how fostering healthy relationships, embracing diversity, and engaging in acts of kindness can enrich your life and contribute to a more harmonious and compassionate community. Explore the resources within this dimension to nurture your social bonds, promote inclusivity, and make a positive impact in your community, ultimately enhancing your own well-being along the way.
Navigating Family Dynamics
It's a given that no two families are alike. However, our first forays into becoming more aware of our families' dynamics begin when we gather with extended family. Differences also show up when visiting friends' families and view portrayals of some of the most beloved families in popular culture. It can leave us questioning why our families can't more closely align with what we may perceive to be idealized versions. But, for better or worse, there's close to universal agreement on the value of family as a concept because it teaches us about belonging to something bigger than ourselves. Families are where we first learn about connections, relationships, and friendships.
Homewood Health’s Employee and Family Assistance Program provides support for both employees and their immediate family/dependants – counselling, Life Smart coaching for elder/family care, parenting, legal issues, financial and more. To log in to Homewood Health:
- Customer Account Name: Vancouver Island University
- Invitation Code: BCI714 (note: 3 capital letters, 3 numbers)
Work Teams are a source of social support. Those water cooler and coffee chats are a type of informal connection between colleagues that enhances social well-being. Positive professional relationships—particularly between employee and direct supervisor—are a significant facilitator of fewer, shorter medical leaves and successful returns to work.
Teaching Inclusivity and Inclusive Language Resources
We all need to feel wholly accepted as individuals. We also need to know that we have equal footing with others, despite our differences. These are some of the broad fundamentals of inclusivity, a form of social and community well-being. Language is essential to helping to create inclusive environments.
Caregiving
Caregiving by its nature is not something that can be added on top of your daily activities in a neat, stress-free package. It must be integrated with our many other responsibilities, and for that we must acquire new knowledge and a different set of skills. Login to Homewood Health to check out a variety of caregiving resources, including articles on self-care for the sandwich generation, elder and family care, and respite care.
Employee and Family Assistance Program: Family—whether traditional or non-traditional—may be considered the first or primary community in our lives. Homewood Health’s Employee and Family Assistance Program provides support for both employees and their immediate family/dependents – counselling, Life Smart coaching for elder/family care, parenting, legal issues, financial and more.
Roots to Thrive: Roots to Thrive is a living curriculum, led by Dr. Shannon Dames and it is designed to re-connect us to our true nature and to community. From this secure and embodied place, we remember the abundance of resources around us and our innate capacity for healing.
Contribute in Your Own Community
United Way: Do you love where you live? Do you want to make this community even stronger? Show your local love. When people in local communities struggle, the United Way is there to help by bringing together the right people, the right information and investing in programs to make change happen. We can also increase our own sense of well-being when we can give to others in our community.
United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island makes sure effective programs in your community are there for you and your neighbours. Thank you for considering an ongoing payroll deduction to support the United Way. Ongoing donations reduce administrative costs and promote funding stability for United Way. After charitable tax benefits, the net cost of your investment is much lower than you think!
Canadian Blood Services: VIU is a member of the Canadian Blood Services Partners for Life program. Together, we can make a lifesaving difference for patients in our community and across Canada. Join the VIU team and make a lifesaving difference for patients in our local communities and across Canada. Joining a team is now easier than ever:
- Set up an account or download GiveBlood app for Apple
- Select “partners” from the menu
- Select “join a team” and find VIU Vancouver Island University in the drop down list
- Book an appointment through your team bookings (visible under your team) or as an individual
- Partner ID: VIUV011640 (four letters, six numbers)
- Organization: VIU Vancouver Island University
- Year: 2023
- Pledge: 75
Employee and Family Assistance available 24/7 at 1.800.663.1142 or visit Homewood Health.