Over the past few seasons, we’ve gained new appreciation for what it means to be ‘together’. Whether being able to gather with loved ones, welcome back colleagues to our common work environments, or once again participate in team-building activities, the past year has allowed us to enjoy more of the personal and professional connections that are so important to us all.
Throughout this holiday season, and over the coming year, it is our hope that we can all find time for activities that bring us together with our loved ones and fill us with both joy for the moment and hope for the future.
During this busy time of year, we wish you moments of rejuvenation and rest. Thank you for the compassion and commitment you bring to every care interaction. Whether you are working through the holidays, or are planning to enjoy time spent with family and friends, we wish you a safe, joyful time.
We encourage staff from across Shared Health to participate in holiday activities that will allow you to celebrate as teams, share moments of seasonal spirit, and share some of your favourite holiday traditions.
Celebrate with us December 4 – 8, 2023
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Season of giving
‘Tis the season to give back to our communities and help those in need. There are many ways to show you care throughout the holidays from donations to simple acts of kindness that can warm hearts. Some ideas from Volunteer Manitoba include:
- Compliment a co-worker or stranger and wish them a happy holidays either in person or by leaving a note for someone to find.
- Give the gift of life by donating blood and/or sign up to be an organ donor.
- Donate items and/or your time to a local food bank or hamper drive. Some ideas include: the Christmas Cheer Board or Harvest Manitoba and help those in need over the holidays. Outside of Winnipeg, you can support the Winkler and District Christmas Cheer Board or the Steinbach Community Christmas Drive is looking for volunteer help and donations. The Salvation Army runs their Toy Mountain campaign leading up to the holidays – help make the holidays special by donating a toy for a child in need.
- Pay it forward – buy someone else a coffee or warm drink anonymously.
- Support our furry friends over the holidays! The Thompson Humane Society needs help and/or supplies. You can also drop off pet supplies and food to the Winnipeg Humane Society, Manitoba Underdogs Rescue, or D’Arcys ARC (animal rescue centre).
- Support locally-owned businesses and leave a five-star review online for your favourite restaurant, salon, or store.
- Be a Santa to a Senior, and deliver gifts to older adults who might not otherwise receive a gift over the holidays.
- Ask a neighbour if you can help them with chores, errands, or shoveling snow.
- Support patient programming at HSC by donating mittens (Volunteer Services), purses, backpacks and mini toiletries (Sexual Assault/Intimate Partner Violence program) and non-perishable food items (Social Work Services) during the HSC Holiday Market in the Mall.
For more giving back ideas visit: www.volunteermanitoba.ca
Reminders:
Throughout the holidays all staff must still follow Infection Prevention and Control, Personal Protective Equipment, Uniform (where applicable), Fire Codes, Physical Distancing requirements and The Personal Health Information Act (PHIA). It should be noted that although we are encouraging you to dress up and decorate this does not change the protocols within your area.
A reminder, all staff must comply with PHIA protocols when taking photos. Shared Health’s policy prohibits staff from taking photos of patients, PHI, or photos that identify any locations, facilities, operations, products, and posting them online.
Please remember to adhere the following IP&C protocols:
- Proper hand hygiene
- Appropriate PPE worn at all times, except when eating and drinking
- Respect maximum occupancy and physical distancing requirements
- Costumes must not interfere with patient care or uniform requirements
- Communal foods/eating must adhere to all site/SDO requirements
To socialize safely and decorate within IP&C guidelines, we will ask staff to review these documents:
- All festivities must abide by infection prevention and control provincial requirements available here: COVID-19 Specific Disease Protocol
- Holiday Decorating Guidelines
- Seasonal Decorating Facility Management Guidelines