Our members recognized the growing problem of social isolation on April 4, 2019 when our delgates assembly asked that a team be formed to look at combating social isolation. As 2020 has unfolded, the consequences of social isolation has been felt by a far greater portion of our population then we could have imagined. On May 25, 2020 our social isolation team put forward a proposal to help strengthen our city.
Our Social Isolation Research Action Team meets on the Fourth Tuesday of every month, to get involved or for more information please email: [email protected].
Social Isolation and Building Inclusive Communities
Issue: Funding for important social infrastructure including libraries, recreation centre, community social works and public transit, at a minimum be maintained.
Why: Calgary has existing social infrastructure that is essential for overcoming social isolation and building inclusive communities. We are currently in a challenging time in which we have already seen strong political pressure towards austerity and cutting this important social infrastructure. As we come out of COVID19, this infrastructure will be essential for healing/reconnecting our communities.
Social Isolation Campaign
Jointly with the Mental Health Research Action Team, we have been working on reaching out to people who are experiencing mental health and social isolation during the pandemic and beyond. Presently, teams have been created within our institutions to receive ongoing training and support to reach out to those isolated in our communities and institutions.
Training conducted or planned include:
- Block Captain training
- Community Helpers Volunteer program matching volunteers with needs in the community
- Community Helpers Mental Health Training basics from Alberta Health Services
- Grief Support Training
- Trauma Informed Care
- Domestic Violence concerns
- Crisis Intervention
To learn about this or any of our campaigns e-mail [email protected].