A coordinated approach to care in which health providers connect clients with community resources to address social determinants of health, enhance well-being and improve overall health outcomes.

For example, through Social Prescribing, a Manitoba health care provider may refer a patient / client to a senior resource coordinator who will work with the client to jointly identify and consider community-based programs or services that can improve the client’s social connections, health and well-being.

Social Prescribing can take various forms, but all involve connecting a patient based on their individual needs, to resources in their community.

Who can make a Social Prescribing referrals in Southern Health-Santé Sud?

• physicians and nurse practitioners
• primary care providers
• allied health practitioners
  • Seniors Consultation Team
  • Rehabilitation Services
  • Social Workers
  • Discharge Coordinators
  • Home Care Case Coordinators
  • Community Paramedics

Check with your health care provider to learn more or

how Social Prescribing can support your well-being!

Feb 1-7, 2026, EDAW is an annual national movement, dedicated to raising awareness and fostering understanding about eating disorders while challenging the stigma and barriers that prevent access to care.

This year’s theme is…

We invite you and your community to challenge the harmful belief that thinness equals health. Messages rooted in diet culture, weight stigma and healthism can negatively impact how people view their bodies and their relationship with food. These ideas don’t just cause individual harm – they are part of broader systems that unfairly judge, exclude and marginalize those who don’t fit our society’s narrow appearance standards.

Let’s work together to promote body respect, inclusion and a more compassionate understanding of health. Learn more about the campaign and for more resources!

CDCP helps make dental care more affordable for eligible Canadian residents of all ages and applications are open to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria.

More information on the CDCP can be found here: Canadian Dental Care Plan – Canada.ca

To support organizations’ outreach efforts, there is a Promotional Toolkit that includes fact sheets (available in 13 languages), posters, and social media content to support community engagement activities.

Opportunity for Schools and Youth Groups!

Participate in Pink Shirt Project: trains and motivates Canadian youth to create and implement projects that address issues of concern to them. Youth work together to discuss topics of interest, come together in a facilitated approach to decide what and how to improve their school and / or community.

Participants can send in a video of their project for potential inclusion on the Pink Shirt Day Canada show which happens annually on the last day of February!

Submit project videos and permissions to [email protected]

To learn more…

The Business Council of Manitoba offers Indigenous Education Awards (IEA) that offers financial assistance to Indigenous students attending post-secondary education in Manitoba, providing a $3,000 annual award to help alleviate financial barriers during the academic year. 

Applications are now open for 2026-2027.  Find more information, and how to apply, here.

The Telus ICF offers grant funding to Indigenous-led programs supporting Indigenous Peoples in Canada across all provinces and territories. Grants ranging from $5,000 – $25,000 are available. 

Deadlines:

Spring: February 4 to March 4, 2026, or until the first 200 applicants are received.

Fall: September 10 to October 7, 2026, or until the first 200 applicants are received.

In Southern Health-Santé Sud, Healthy Together Now (HTN) provides grant opportunities that promote health equity, prioritize groups that are underserved and supports structures that remove unfair and avoidable barriers to health.

Our Healthy Living Team has been summarizing the data for the 2022-2023 funding year with a grant theme of “Increasing Community Belonging”, chosen to encourage social connections in communities, as connection is a foundation to overall health and well-being. The following impacts were found:

• 93 projects funded
• 129 new partnerships established
• $74,138 of in-kind support provided within communities

Projects helped support the following four HTN pillars:

• 93.5% supported mental well-being
• 58% supported physical activity
• 34.4% supported nutrition and healthy eating
• 4.3% addressed commercial tobacco reduction

We also received some highlights of what worked well:

• participants developed new skills including leadership and teamwork
• projects involved reducing barriers to access (eg. transportation, childminding, etc.)
• friendships were strengthened – both new and existing
• generous local donations and support from volunteers enhanced project delivery

Some future considerations groups reflected on were to:

• have a backup plan for unfavorable weather
• improve logistics (eg. space, scheduling, transportation, etc.)
• expand language inclusivity to reduce barriers and reach more participants
• ensure accessibility for all community members
• plan for last minute changes (eg. Cancellations / participation rates)

Walking is just one winter activity to get you moving! Regular physical activity during the winter months could include walking, snow shoeing, or shoveling.

Get creative and have fun this winter!

Benefits of walking:

• improves mental, social and physical health; balance, posture and muscle strength
• reduces the risk of heart disease, developing high blood pressure, improves diabetes indicators and improves bone health to reduce the risk of fractures from falls; and
• it’s a great way to spend time with others!

Before walking:

• monitor the forecast and plan ahead; dress in layers so you are prepared for changing winter weather; stay warm by wearing a hat, scarf and gloves
• wear bright or reflective gear so you can be seen by drivers, cyclists and other walkers
• choose warm, stable footwear — look for well-insulated and lightweight footwear with a non-slip sole
• consider a cane or walking poles; use ice grippers on footwear when outside if you find that helpful

During your walk:

• be aware of your surroundings and scan for hazards; black ice is often not visible to the eye
• watch for ice, cracks and uneven or changing surfaces
• walk on designated and clear paths; try walking with a friend; take your time and ask for help if needed
• keep your hands out of your pockets to help stay balanced

After you walk:

• assess how you feel… if you are sore, switch to shorter walks and gradually increase your walking time
• dehydration is harder to monitor in the cold because thirst and sweat are less obvious; enjoy a glass of water and drink fluids consistently throughout the day… if drinking cold water in winter does not suit you, opt for warm water, broths or herbal teas to help maintain good fluid intake.

An annual grant that is intended for trail associations, municipalities, or other not-for-profit groups, that have the means to provide continued stewardship of trails.

Specific objectives for this grant include:

1. Provide new recreational trail opportunities which includes extending or improving existing trails, developing new trails, and addressing trail gaps and barriers.
2. Improve the quality of the existing recreational trail network or the user’s experience including safety improvements, signage, wayfinding, and barriers to access.
3. Maintenance of the recreational trail network, including pruning, repairing holes, trail beautification, normal erosion/drainage repairs, clean-up, usual repairs (signage, barriers, fencing, surfacing) and other maintenance tasks that are undertaken for upkeep of a trail

Application deadline: January 9, 2026

To learn more and/or apply: Grants | Trails Manitoba

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, asks students across the country to envision a reconciled Canada and make something that reflects their vision.

To enter, students may create artwork, write an essay, or plan a community project to promote reconciliation.  More information and links to apply to both the art and essay, and the project streams.

Application deadline: January 23, 2026