What will you do with your wellbeing funding?

April 9, 2024

Did you know faculty and staff can access up to $3000 in funding for a variety of wellbeing-focused initiatives? 

Applications for the Healthy Workplace Initiative Program (HWIP) closes on Friday, April 19. And you can find out more, and apply for your HWIP funding.

Apply for HWIP today

Just in case you need some inspiration, we checked in with a few of our previous recipients to see how their HWIP funding turned out. Perhaps these stories will spur your own wellbeing initiative!

Community Garden at UBCO, view of entire garden

Down the garden path

We spoke with Michele Gabourie — Implementation Specialist & Workplace Wellbeing Ambassador who applied for and received HWIP funding on behalf of the Office of AVPS Students at UBC Okanagan. Michele and her team used their funds to create a little oasis at UBC Okanagan in the form of a community garden.
 
Healthy UBC: Tell us how has HWIP helped to embed wellbeing in your workplace and the impact of the community garden.
Michele: "Having the garden really encouraged folks to take breaks in their day to check in on the plants, watering and fertilizing when needed. The garden really helped us reconnect with nature daily, and connect with coworkers more frequently than we normally would in our busy day-to-day.
 
"We added additional house plants to our office as well, and people felt an overall improvement in mood."
Community Garden at UBCO, with caption "Our garden is absolutely thriving"
 
Healthy UBC: A community garden will be seen by more than just your team, what has been the feedback from others in your building?
Michele: "Very often, people who are lucky enough to walk down our hallway, will pop into our office to let us know how much they loved to see the garden at the end of the hall. We often heard from people that the space felt revitalized.
 
"Before we had the garden on the outdoor patio, it was essentially just an empty square of concrete. The garden helps to add nature back into the view and brightens our day!"
 
Healthy UBC: Any words of wisdom for this year's HWIP applicants?
Michele: "Receiving the HWIP funding was so exciting for our team. We really enjoyed getting together to plan our garden and then collectively plant them as a group. Even the journey to go out to the garden centre together to purchase those plants was an enjoyable part of the process! 
 
"It’s been great for team bonding. If you have the chance to apply for this funding for your own idea whether big or small, I highly recommend it. Even small initiatives or ideas can make a huge impact!"
 

HWIP funding goes for a song

It should come as no surprise, but the Faculty of Arts has a Staff Choir. But did you know that HWIP funding had a part to play in their soaring melodies and uplifting vibes?

Faculty of Arts - Staff Choir singing at Blueberry Festival

The choir’s founder, Administration Manager Jennifer Suratos in the Department of English Language & Literatures, and its director, Academic Advisor Jonathan (Jono) Lee have created something rather special with the Arts Staff Choir. You can find out more about the group, and hear from some of the members who describe the joy of connecting through song, in this article on the Faculty of Arts blog: Community in song: Meet the Arts Staff Choir.

Take for example this quote from Carol Lee, Communications Officer, FROGBEAR Project, Department of Asian Studies.

“I am in awe of our talented choristers, whose confidence helped me build up my own. It has truly been an honour revel in each other's voices and cultivate our joy for music. Without our collective teamwork, commitment, and passion, this choir would not have been possible. I look forward to another season of honing our craft together and hitting all the right notes.”

But honestly, the best way to learn why this choir is wonderful is to hear them. So without further ado, here is the Arts Staff Choir's first gig at the 2023 Blueberry Festival. Let those heavenly notes inspire your own HWIP funding idea!

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  • Healthy UBC

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