NEW OFFERINGS THIS FALL!

Intergenerational Book Collaborative: Chapters of Humanity

Inspired by the Human Library concept which originated in Denmark in 2000 and designed to provide a positive space for conversation, we invite you to join the BWP in an intergenerational experience of connection and conversation where our BWP participants (senior books) will share a 10 minute ‘chapter’ of their life story with university students (student readers) during three online (zoom) events.

BWP participants are invited to talk about a chapter of their life story, sharing lived experiences and perspectives (for example a talk about an interesting career, a unique travel experience, a life defining opportunity, a passionate hobby, a life skill, living life with a health condition etc). We will be selecting 9 participants to share a chapter of their life story with the students on zoom and upon reflection, the students will create a chapter title, a summary statement, and design a book cover to capture the essence of the stories heard. The project will also have a closing community celebration (also on zoom) and if interested, the chapters will be combined into a digital BWP Book Collection.

An orientation session will be held on zoom on Thursday September 25, 2025 at 4:00-5:00pm and the events will be held on Tuesdays, Oct 7, Oct 21, November 4 and November 18 at 5:30-7:00pm

Let us know you are interested by completing the application below by Friday, September 5, 2025 and then we will contact you for a short zoom interview.

BWP participant interest form

https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8jGq75yzHmTDbaS

Intergenerational Conversations Project is back again!!!

We currently have 10 spots for BWP participants to join in a rewarding intergenerational experience!

The project involves meeting twice/month on zoom with an intergenerational partner (BWP participants and UBC students) to discuss curated topics. We provide materials to stimulate conversations on meaning in life, education, health care, relationships, technology with new topics this term including travel, artificial intelligence and more! The intention is to explore similarities and differences while making meaningful connections and learning from each other.

The orientation meeting will be on Thursday, September 25 at 5:30-6:30pm on zoom and then the pairs will meet twice/month at their convenience on zoom during October and November with a community celebration meeting on Tuesday December 2, 2025 at 5:30pm

If you are interested in participating, please reply by completing the form below by Friday, September 5, 2025

BWP participant interest form https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_73Z9yE2O7HEjJzg

The PAIRS Project : Partners Assemble in Resilience and Strength!

Living with a health condition and caring for someone with a health condition can often be an isolating experience, within the relationship and in the broader community. With this in mind,

we are piloting a new program designed for partners! A time for couples/ partners/ pairs/ companions to disconnect from all that is happening in health, in life and the world and reconnect with each other in a different way….experiencing a class together. With our various BWP instructors, we plan to hold a class each month (music, art, writing etc) designed with both of you in mind to engage you and your partner ( spouse , adult son/ daughter, niece/nephew/, helpful neighbor, or close confident ) in an experience where you can disconnect from your daily roles and reconnect in new meaningful ways.

Wed Sept 17 - Zentangle with Natasha
Monday Oct 27 - Gardening and Cooking in Season with Joanna
Monday Nov 24 - Mindfulness with David
Wed Jan 28 - Music with Cynthia
Monday Feb 25 - Dance with Megan
Monday March 25 - Writing with Rebecca
Wed April 29 - Art with Mady
Wed May 27 -Yoga with Vanessa and Christine
Wed June 24 -Improv with Rosemary
Mondays will be 1:00-2:00pm
Wednesdays will be 4:00-5:00pm

Registration for the September through November classes can be found here https://www.bcbrainwellness.ca/care-partner-workshops

Intergenerational Ballroom Dance

The BC Brain Wellness Program will offer a weekly intergenerational ballroom dance class for adults with neurological conditions, care partners, and older adults, led by an interdisciplinary team of dance instructors, community musician, physiotherapist, and UBC students. The first class series will start with Waltz, the classical ballroom dance. Graceful and elegant, the measured flow of the Waltz will sweep you around the dancefloor in timeless style. In the second class series, you will explore a contrasting dance, either the Cha-Cha or Jive. The lively and rhythmic Cha-Cha has its origins in Cuba and is danced to upbeat, syncopated Latin music, and

the Jive is an energetic and bouncy dance evolved from the African-American Lindy Hop and swing Jazz music of the 1930s and 40s.

Time: Wed, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM (SEP 10 – OCT 22, OCT 29 – DEC 10)

Location: Old Barn Community Center

More information and registration here https://www.bcbrainwellness.ca/classes/ballroomdance

Musical Movement

The BC Brain Wellness Program will offer a weekly intergenerational musical movement class for adults with neurological conditions, care partners, and older adults, led by an interdisciplinary team of dance instructors, community musician, physiotherapist, and UBC students. This fun and engaging class invites you to develop comfort and trust in your body to share the joy of moving together. The class starts slowly, warming up with basic exercises and ideas to find coordination, balance, articulation, and grounded weight. Through improvisational tasks, you will play with movement initiation, building a sense of momentum, flow, and use of space. Adults of all ages and abilities are welcome. You are invited to participate using a chair, wheelchair, or walker, and encouraged to listen to your body regarding range, safety, and comfort. Take this class playfully, sensitively or to challenge yourself, it is up to you!

Time: Sep 26, Oct 3, Oct 10, Oct 17, Oct 31, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

Location: Old Barn Community Center

For more information and registration…. https://www.bcbrainwellness.ca/classes/musicalmovement

Soups & Social

The BC Brain Wellness Program is excited to be collaborating with the University Neighbourhood Association to bring you the Soup + Social Series. This Fall series offers a monthly opportunity for participants to broaden their nutrition knowledge, connect with peers and cultivate friendships over a bowl of warm soup. Each session will feature a homemade soup prepared by BWP staff and dietitian, Raihan Hassen, who will also share nutrition tips and answer any questions about the recipe.

Date and Time: Wednesdays 11:45am-1pm. September 24, October 29, November 26, and December 10th.

Location: Wesbrook Community Centre

Open to interested participants aged 55+.

Sign-up opens 48 hours before the drop-in time for UNA residents and 24 hours before for non-UNA: https://www.myuna.ca/programs/?season=.fall&age=*&activity=*&availability=*&location=*&group=*&search=soup&days=

Exercise Technique

This class emphasises proper form and execution of movements rather than the quantity or intensity of exercise. This class will involve detailed explanation, demonstration and corrections to ensure participants are performing exercises safely and effectively. The goal of this class will be to improve efficiency and form of movement, reduce risk of injury and increase awareness of correct exercise technique.

Level 2-4 Date: Mondays weekly for the first 4 weeks of the term Time: 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM Location: Zoom Instructor: Matt Kore More information and registration: https://seadragon-bell g69y.squarespace.com/config/pages