# Alliance Social Prescribing and Health Promotion 

# Professional Learning Event

# #Friday September 26, 2025 9:00AM–4:00PM

This in-person learning event is hosted by the Alliance for Healthier Communities. 

Join us in Richmond Hill for a day of learning, networking, and fun.  

This in-person professional learning event (PLE) is open to social prescribing and health promotion staff. If your role involves social prescribing, community development, community health or health promotion, this day is for you. Full program details are below! 

# *Registration for the PLE event is now closed, as we have reached maximum capacity. Thank you for your support!

  • Early bird rate: $50 +HST - available until 5pm on Monday Aug 25
  • Regular rate: $60 +HST 

See the registration page for details about cancellations and name changes.  

# Hotel Accommodations 

The Alliance has negotiated a special rate $219+Taxes and Fees for a limited number of hotel rooms for the night of Thursday Sept 25, 2025. These discounted rooms are available on a first-come, first served basis and must be booked by Thursday Sept 4, 2025. 

Please note, room rates will also be subject to a non-commissionable daily Amenity Fee (AF) of $10.00 per room per night, these charges are separate and distinct from and in addition to the room rate and from taxes.

If you have any questions please email: socialprescribing@AllianceON.org.

# Outline for the day: 

8:30 AM

Arrival, Registration, Breakfast & Networking

9:00 AM

Welcome, Overview of SP & HP work at Alliance member centres

Keynote Presentation: Dr. Jennifer Rayner and Sara Bhatti

The Spark of Change: Health Promotion Driven by Data

10:00 AM

ACES & Promoting Resilience Presentation – by the Community Resilience Coalition of Guelph & Wellington

Learn how to weather challenges in your life and how to support clients in a trauma-informed way

11:30 AM

Social Prescribing Experiential Activities

Choose 1 activity

  1. Line dancing

  2. Laughter Yoga

  3. Nature Prescribing – Mandala Making

12:00 PM

Lunch

12:45 PM

Conversation Tables

Pick up to 4 topics to discuss out of:

  1. Data, Socio-Demographic Collection, PSS forms

  2. Nature Prescribing

  3. Community Initiative Tool

  4. How to Improve the bridge between health centres & seniors centres

  5. Supporting Caregivers

  6. Opportunities & Challenges of Engaging Volunteers

  7. Black Focused Social Prescribing

  8. How to demonstrate the value of your work & advocate within your organization

  9. Sustainability & Funding, Advocating as a sector & as a centre

  10. Essential Medicines Program

  11. Open Space

2:00 PM

Break  

2:15 PM

Indigenous Cultural Safety - Journal Yourself a Prescription for Wellness with Dr. Lisa Boivin

3:45 – 4:00 PM

Wrap up + Send off 

Door prizes

# Presentation Descriptions

# ACES & Promoting Resilience Presentation

This presentation will introduce participants to:

  1. The science of early development and adversity, including the basics of brain development and the importance of early experiences to lifelong health and well-being.
  2. The science of resilience, what it is and isn’t, and the importance of systemic factors to promote resilience.
  3. Key principles and benefits of a trauma- and violence-informed approach to care

Following the formal presentation, participants will have an opportunity apply their learning during small group, case-based discussions.

Facilitators:

  • Dr. Melanie Bluhm, family physician, Guelph Community Health Centre
  • Caroline Folkman, manager, Toward Common Ground

Caroline Folkman

Caroline Folkman is a compassionate and caring leader, committed to addressing complex health and social challenges. She has over 20 years of experience facilitating research and evaluation initiatives, promoting collaboration, and managing complex projects. 

Caroline is the Manager of Toward Common Ground, a collective of community organizations working together to identify shared needs and take collective action to improve well-being in Guelph and Wellington County. As a part of her role, she leads the Community Resilience Coalition of Guelph & Wellington. The Coalition believes that communities are stronger and more vibrant when children, youth and adults are supported, especially in the face of adversity. We work together to advance shared understanding and take action to strengthen resilience. 

Caroline holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Health Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Social Innovation from the University of Waterloo, as well as a Master of Science in Epidemiology from the University of British Columbia.

Dr. Melanie Bluhm, CCFP (COE) is a physician at the Guelph Community Health Centre. She completed her residency training in family medicine at McMaster University, with additional training in the care of the elderly. Her practice includes primary care across the lifespan, with a focus on immigrant health and child development, as well as community and mental health.

After a decade of practice, Dr. Bluhm was discouraged that she wasn't seeing more positive outcomes for some of her patients who were struggling with long-standing mental health and substance use issues, despite access to medical treatment and counselling. Even more concerning, she was seeing these issues passed down through generations, with her patients stuck in the cycle of trauma, parenting and attachment struggles, and poverty. With her knowledge of ACEs and resilience, Dr. Bluhm shifted conversations with her patients away from, “what’s wrong with you?” to “what happened to you?”. She began to think outside of the traditional medical model and emphasizes a Trauma-Informed Care approach. When it makes sense to do so, she asks her patients questions about their childhood experiences, using this information to guide conversations about their role in the health issues they and/or their children may be experiencing today.  Dr Bluhm strives to challenge the traditional delivery of care, including stepping outside of the office to work hand-in-hand with her patients in their homes, schools and communities to foster resilience within a village of support and improve health outcomes. 

# Social Prescribing Experiential Activities

# Line dancing

Carolyn Jurek

Carolyn has more than 20 years of experience teaching line dance classes in Canada (Calgary & Toronto) and the UK (London). Dancers appreciate her enthusiasm, clear instructions, and easy to follow dance style. She currently teaches at regional events in Canada, in addition to weekly classes in Toronto.

 

# Laughter Yoga

Laughter yoga is a series of movement, breathing, chanting and communal interaction to promote deliberate laughter, which has been found to boost mood, reduce stress and increase overall wellbeing. No previous yoga experience, special equipment or clothing required.  Just bring yourself and an open mind.

 

# Nature Prescribing - Nature Art

Discover the beauty of nature by creating a unique craft using natural materials. This hands on activity encourages creativity, connection to nature and appreciation to the simple treasures found outdoors.

Facilitated by Lauren Jeffrey and Katrina Shand.

Lauren Jeffrey was born and raised in Collingwood. She continues to reside there with her husband and two boys. She engages with her community through her passion for golf, gardening, volunteering, and enjoying everything that Collingwood has to offer. Lauren channels this passion into her work, advocating for increased supports and services for marginalized and vulnerable groups. She has been in her current role as Community Program Coordinator for three years now and is excited to expand the free community programs, workshops, support groups and exercise classes so that everyone in South Georgian Bay can experience the benefits of being connected to others! Lauren thrives on helping people feel happy, healthy and connected! 

Kat Shand

Kat is a Certified Forest Therapy Guide. She works with Free Spirit Tours where she is passionate about connecting people with the natural world. She loves spending time outdoors, whether she’s guiding an intentional walk in the forest or rock climbing on rugged cliffs. When she’s not out adventuring, Kat treasures time with her family and finds joy in sharing the restorative power of nature with others. You can find more about Kat at www.outdoorkatforesttherapy.ca

# Indigenous Cultural Safety - Journal Yourself a Prescription for Wellness with Dr. Lisa Boivin

Dr. Lisa Boivin is a member of the Deninu Kųę́ First Nation in Denendeh (Northwest Territories). She is the Indigenous Educator at University Health Network and The Center for Wise Practices in Indigenous Health’s (Ganawishkadawe) at Women’s College Hospital in Tkaronto (Toronto). She creates arts-based curricula for healthcare researchers and providers, using participatory image-based workshops to educate about the colonial barriers Indigenous patients navigate in the current healthcare system. Lisa has researched and developed educational materials for multiple Senators, CIHR Scientific Directors, hospitals and academic institutions. She is an award-winning author and illustrator of We Dream Medicine Dreams, and I Will See you Again. These two books educate young readers about the power of land-based wellness and healing. Lisa has also authored and illustrated chapters in several medical, arts humanities textbooks. She strives to humanize clinical medicine as she situates her art in the Indigenous continuum of passing knowledge through image

# Journal Yourself a Prescription for Wellness

Using provided images and a journal, Dr. Lisa Boivin will guide you through your own personal prescription for wellness. Dr. Boivin will share Indigenous ways of knowing and creating, as well as some practices for Indigenous Cultural Safety in your work. All supplies provided. No art experience needed.