Care Partner Celebration Event
Monday, May 4, 1:00-3:00 PM at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
Join us as we recognize National Caregiver Awareness Month with a celebration of the care partners in our BC Brain Wellness community! We will create a space to connect and learn and be celebrated, with music, a speaker (Energy Conservation and Fatigue Management for Care Partners), decadent refreshments and a few surprise treats! We will also have an adjacent supervised room for anyone who needs to bring the care receiver.
Please register by Wednesday, April 29th. When you do, please register the care receiver for a spot as well. |
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Wellness Wednesday: "Living Well With Fatigue: How To Best Manage Your Energy"
Wednesday, May 6, 12:00-1:00 PM
Join us for our upcoming Wellness Wednesday with two of our Occupational Therapy students, Phylicia Lam and David Liira. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to daily activities, especially if fatigue is getting in the way of you enjoying your day. Energy conservation is about tuning into your body and environment to find smarter, more efficient ways to distribute your energy. In this session, you will learn practical, creative strategies to pace yourself, reduce fatigue, and stay engaged in the activities that matter most to you. |
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New Series: Ask the Expert
Wednesdays, May 6, June 3, July 8, August 5, 1:00-2:00 PM
During this new event series, participants are encouraged to come with their own questions and engage directly with our team’s experts. Each session features rotating experts of Kinesiologists, Physiotherapists, and Registered Dietitians.
These sessions are designed to be participant-driven, meaning you can ask questions in the chat or speak directly over the Zoom call. Our goal is to create a supportive environment where everyone can hear others' experiences and learn through shared discussion. |
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Special Event Series: Music, Movement, Mood, and Parkinson's
May 20th to May 22nd (multiple times and locations)
The BC Brain Wellness Program and the Consulate General of Switzerland in Vancouver warmly invite you to an immersive event series with Prof. Dawn Rose under the title "Music, Movement, Mood, and Parkinson’s". Dr. Rose is a visiting music psychologist, senior research professor, and musician based in Switzerland. Check out the event website to find more information on all offerings in this series.
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Hybrid Webinar: Music, Movement, Mood, and Parkinson's
Wednesday, May 20, 12:00-1:00 PM | in-person at UBC or online via Zoom
During this hybrid webinar, Prof. Dawn Rose will present and discuss her major international project, "Music, Mood, and Movement in Parkinson’s”. She will share the processes involved in co-developing a new group-based music-and-movement intervention for and with people with Parkinson’s. She will also disseminate findings on how people with Parkinson’s use music in their everyday lives, and the award-winning "Playlist for Parkinson’s" concerts and website. |
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In-Person Workshop: Songlines for Parkinson's
Thursday, May 21 at UBC | Friday, May 22 on Granville Island
During this immersive workshop, participants will experience a group-based music and movement intervention that visiting Prof. Dawn Rose and her team have co-created for and with people with Parkinson’s, practitioners, medical specialists, and researchers across disciplines. You will develop your beat finding abilities, exploring different rhythms from around the world, and learn how therapeutic exercises can be naturally woven into dance.
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Wellness Wednesday: "Women in Mind: Understanding Womens’ Brain Health Risks & Prevention"
Wednesday, May 27, 12:00-1:00 PM
In the spirit of Women’s Health Week, Dr. Sherri Hayden will provide a review of science on women’s brain health risks for various neurological and mental health conditions. Emerging research related to the role of female sex-hormones, such as estrogen, in such brain health risks will be discussed. Information on preventative practices will also be provided. |
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| Announcements and Updates |
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We hope you had a great Winter class term! Our upcoming summer classes will run from May 4th to July 31st. However, some classes may not be offered for the full duration due to instructor availability.
If you are a new participant, you can check out our Get Started page for a helpful step-by-step breakdown on how to get involved. Our FAQ page can answer many questions about how to register. If you would like more assistance, you can reach out to our team via email at brain.wellness@ubc.ca or via phone at 604-827-4386.
Registration opens today at noon. |
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| Community Events and Resources |
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Parkinson Canada SuperMom Walk/Run
Sunday, May 10, 2026, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at The Boatshed Ambleside (1200 Argyle Ave, West Vancouver)
Parkinson Canada invites you to join their Vancouver SuperMom Walk/Run. This event is more than a day of connection—it’s a movement of strength, advocacy, and community. On Mother’s Day, we celebrate women, enjoy a morning of connection, and raise critical funds for women in Canada affected by Parkinson’s. Participants will take part in the 5km walk/run, enjoy breakfast and snacks, and take part in fun activities, all while standing up for women’s health and a future without limits.
You can learn more about the event and register via the link below. |
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| SFU Heat Resilience Workshop and Study for Older Adults |
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Are you interested in contributing to research conducted in the community using arts-based methods to increase heat resilience, social connection, and climate education? If so, you are invited to participate in the “Promoting Heat Resilience among Older Adults through Group-Based Arts” study!
This study will facilitate a 10-week multi-arts workshop for older adults (60+) experiencing or who have experienced extreme heat in the Metro Vancouver area. The workshop will involve creating visual and performance art in groups to explore personal narratives about extreme heat which will then be performed to a public audience to increase climate awareness. Through these activities, they aim to promote heat resilience through social connection, climate education, and cultivating internal and external resources for participants.
They are seeking participants aged 60 and above. To learn more about the study and its eligibility requirements, visit our website or contact Aryana Mohammed (aryana_mohammed@sfu.ca or call 778-847-1329). |
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| Research Opportunities
Review current research opportunities with the BC Brain Wellness Program, including Impact 360 for Parkinson's Disease and Microbiome and Diet in Parkinson’s Disease.
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| Check out our blog post titled "All This, in Less Than a Year" to read a powerful testimony on the impact that the BC Brain Wellness Program has had on Norman and Sylvia's lives. |
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| Additionally, please take some time to read our latest blog post titled "Volunteer Appreciation Week." In the spirit of National Volunteer Week in Canada (April 19-25), we want to thank all of your volunteers for their essential contributions to our program. Without their dedication, we could not sustain the level of capacity, quality and safety that our participants rely on. |
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| Donate
The BC Brain Wellness Program is an entirely donor funded program and would not be possible without donors like you. A gift today will ensure the ongoing development and delivery of classes. Thank you for your support.
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| Feedback
We would love to hear your feedback and suggestions regarding the program. If you wish to submit anonymous feedback, please fill out our Feedback Form on the Contact Us page.
If you would like to inquire about technical issues or any other feedback requiring a response, please reach out to us via email or phone. Responses on the feedback form are anonymous.
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