For many of us, the conversation around maintaining our health and well-being during periods of social isolation has become increasingly relevant. We all now see the inherent value in going out for a walk with a friend or spending time around the dinner table with our loved ones.
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There is a saying, “it’s not what you know, but who you know”. This is what is known as social capital, or the value of our social networks and connections in a community. Without social capital, people often experience a state of loneliness and a lack of belonging. As we reflect on a year of reduced social interactions due to COVID-19 restrictions, there is an opportunity to explore new ways to foster connection.
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We are at a pivotal time where the world is carefully and optimistically opening up, and though we may still be in the midst of the ongoing ebb and flow of the pandemic with continued social distance measures, this does not mean we cannot be socially connected. Many of us however have been disconnected and isolated, and though the trend was being experienced long before the pandemic, the pandemic has created and exacerbated the problem.
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“While we are connected in new ways electronically, I think that sometimes comes at the expense of personal connection and that is a big challenge” – Dr. Trevor Hancock
5 years ago, the Tamarack Institute wrote about a film crew seeking to examine community connectedness and the important role it plays in our lives, health, and well-being. With contributions from Tamarack’s Co-CEO Paul Born and Dr. Trevor Hancock, this award-winning documentary, “The Great Disconnect” was launched. Since its official launch in October 2019, the film has screened across Canada through multiple municipalities, non-profits, educational institutions and NGOs, and has been shown in ten countries across Europe. This film invites reflection on the relationships we have with those around us and raises the question: Is it possible to overcome our modern culture of disconnectedness and rediscover how truly essential we are to one other?
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In May 2020, the Cities Deepening Community network welcomed Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre as a member. For over 30 years this organization, based in Cambridge Ontario, has been connecting community members to recreational, educational, supportive programs and volunteer opportunities. With the disruption of regularly scheduled programs due to COVID-19, they have responded by joining a collective of learners from across the country to reimagine their purpose.
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Hi, I’m Dan Ritchie, the newest member of the Cities Deepening Community team. As a Manager of Cities, I will support members who want to develop neighbourhood plans. Joining the Tamarack Institute at the beginning of November has been an exciting experience for me, especially during this period of great uncertainty.
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