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, visiting Professor Dawn Rose will present and discuss her major international project, "Music, Mood, and Movement in Parkinson’s”. She will share about her group-based music-and-movement intervention as well as disseminate findings on how those living with Parkinson’s can use music in their everyday lives. |
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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 Professor 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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Ask the Expert
Wednesday, June 3, 1:00-2:00 PM
During this 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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In-Person Workshop: Improv for Brain Health
Friday, June 5, 11:15-12:45 PM at Douglas Park Community Centre
Join us for another in-person Improv for Brain Health workshop, where you will connect with others, exercise your brain, and share some laughs! Through fun games and exercises, participants will learn improv skills and explore how they can be applied to life and fostering wellness. No improv experience is required, everyone is welcome!
Please note that this workshop will take place at a new location. Thank you to the Douglas Park Community Centre for this collaboration. |
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New Series: Creative Expressions: Techniques in Painting
Fridays, June 5 (virtual) & July 3 (in-person), 1:00-2:30 PM
We are launching a new series of monthly workshops with professional artist Sabine Fedder. These classes will focus on painting techniques in acrylic and watercolour, and explore landscapes, still life, abstract, realism, shading, and foundational shapes. |
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| Announcements and Updates |
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Our summer classes have started last week and will run until July 31st.
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.
If there is no room in a class you are interested in attending, please sign-up on the waitlist. This helps us to evaluate the demand of our classes and allows you to be notified through e-mail when a spot opens. Please keep an eye out in your inbox, as spots that open are released to everyone on the waitlist and registration is first-come-first-serve.
There are still some classes with available spots, including the following:
- Floor-Based Functional Strength (Thur, 9:00-10:00AM)
- Higher Intensity Interval Training (both sections)
- Higher Intensity Chair Exercise (both sections)
- Ask the Expert (Wednesdays, monthly)
- Another section of Writing to Discharge (Wednesdays, 10:30AM-12:00PM) has been added
If you are registered for a class you can no longer attend, please cancel your booking to allow those on the waitlist to join the class.
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National Caregivers Month
To celebrate that May is National Caregivers Month, the BC Brain Wellness Program welcomed care partners to an afternoon of learning, music, decadent treats and mutual support last week! At this event, OT students David and Phylicia presented a talk about fatigue and energy conservation for care partners and those receiving care, which is now available on our website for you to review. |
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We would like to express our gratitude toward the generous donations from Quince Flowers, Save-on-Foods, and From Charlie at YVR.
Upcoming care partner classes:
- Monday, May 25 – Partners Who Care with Jean Ward
- Wednesday, May 27 – PAIRS project with BWP yoga instructors
- Monday, June 15 – Tricia Wallace speaking on relationships and shifting roles with adult children
- Monday, June 22 – Partners Who Care with Jean Ward
- Wednesday, June 24 – PAIRS project with Rosemary
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| Community Events and Resources |
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Fatigue Management and Energy Conservation
At our latest Wellness Wednesday on May 6, Occupational Therapy students David and Phylicia presented a range of practical energy conservation and fatigue management strategies. We encourage you to review their presentation as well as some additional resources linked on our website. |
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Nature Resources
We have just added a new section of resources to our website under Resources > Community Resources > Nature & Gardening for you to review.
The city of Metro Vancouver publishes "Nature Program Guides", which lists a range of events, regional parks, and a comprehensive calendar on how you can make the most of the beauty of nature this season. Review the Spring 2026 overview below. |
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| From our "Brain Power Kitchen" class, click below to find out how to make crispy quinoa and asparagus salad with a ginger-sesame dressing. |
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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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| Shaping the Future of Music Care: Looking for Care Partners! |
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Music Care by Room 217 is looking for individuals to participate in their study to pilot a new AI-supported music tool for care partners to integrate music into everyday care.
Eligibility
- Family care partners supporting loved ones aged 65+
- Those who can commit to using this tool at least twice a week for 8 weeks between June-August
- Participate in a virtual pilot group meeting and filling out a simple questionnaire
Benefits of Participation
- In-the-moment musical coaching in response to real time care situations
- Musical programming that fits your care needs
- Opportunity to provide feedback to help shape this tool for other caregivers
- Early access and lifetime free subscription to the web-based music tool
- Receive training to use this tool
There are 10 spots available for BC Brain Wellness participants, so register early by filling out the Qualtrics survey linked below. |
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| Rural Health Research Opportunity |
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| This UBC led study explores the barriers rural residents face in participating in health services or clinical research, including distance, limited local resources, work, and privacy concerns. Your input can help improve research access and relevance for rural communities across BC. Click below to take the survey or visit their website to learn more! |
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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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| 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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