Today, while on the train, a woman in her eighties gingerly took the seat beside me. We exchanged friendly smiles, and she offered me a digestive biscuit (though I’m not sure why they call it that, as they are anything but easily digested). I accepted a piece and asked if I could take a picture … Continue reading Talking to Strangers & Leaving a Positive Community Footprint
Service User Support: Rethinking “Cultural Competency”
We hear the word culture all the time, but what does it really mean? It can mean shared values, languages, art, beliefs, customs, or even collective memories. But here is the thing, culture is complicated, it is often oversimplified, overused, or misunderstood. Helping professionals absolutely should consider culture, but they also need to see each service user … Continue reading Service User Support: Rethinking “Cultural Competency”
Reframing Self-Care Advice: Equity, Access, and the Social Determinants of Health
“The definitive factors in determining whether someone is in good health extend significantly beyond access to care and include the conditions in their life and the conditions of their neighborhoods and communities.” — John Auerbach Rethinking Self-Care Whenever the topic of self-care comes up with friends or coworkers, it sometimes feels… well, a little privileged. Because honestly, not … Continue reading Reframing Self-Care Advice: Equity, Access, and the Social Determinants of Health
The Value of Community Hubs: Four Reasons to Love Your Local Library
COMMUNITY HUBS SUPPORT COMMUNITY HEALTH: Do you know what a community hub is? You should. Community hubs promote healthy communities. According to the government of Ontario (2010), community hubs “make it easier for local residents to access the health, social, cultural, recreational and other resources they need together in one spot. It can be located in a … Continue reading The Value of Community Hubs: Four Reasons to Love Your Local Library
The Middle Slice 