We were able to get someone who was isolated what they needed. We figured it out. And it felt good.
ClothesPins-BW

A volunteer, Touch ~a  Volunteers in Partnership (ViP) initiative

The  ViP is a tripartite program that consists of Touch, a volunteer program in the in-patient unit at the Jewish General Hospital, the Research-Information Kiosk at the Institute of Community & Family Psychiatry, and the Patient-led Advisory Committee, which provides oversight as well as consults on new initiatives and innovations for recovery-oriented services.  The ViP was created by persons living with mental illness and mental health professionals who dedicated over  400 hours of their time to share experiences, identify priority concerns, and create action initiatives to support personal recovery between 2014-2017. 

Funded by Canadian Institute of Health Research grants, this participatory project also built on the knowledge and expertise of family members and key administrators who supported and integrated research outcomes, which includes their ongoing support of the ViP and renovations. It is currently coordinated by Chesley Walsh, who is part of our team.

  • Resource List and Map

    Developed in partnership with the Community Care Network, the resource list and resource map contains handy information for anyone seeking support in the community. This list includes many resources (telephone support, 24-hour crisis line, temporary shelter assistance, specialized resources), available in many languages and able to help seniors and people from Immigrant, Aboriginal, LGBTQ+ and racialized communities.
    resources2 grey
    Image by Arisa Chattasa
    Read more

  • Community Care Networks

    Community Care Networks is a volunteer-driven telephoning initiative based on the Touch_Volunteers in Partnership program. Community Care Networks was originally created for persons impacted by social distancing measures related to COVID 19. It involves regular phone calls to reduce isolation, connect with community resources and build a connected community. Our community care networks continue to grow and we encourage anyone interested in being part of our community care to join us!
    Community Care Networks Grey
    Read more