Now in our 11th year, Writers Collective of Canada (WCC) chose in 2024 to explore the theme, Why We Write. We asked the writers, volunteer facilitators, partners and allies who are the lifeblood of our collective why they write and what happens when we write together.
Their powerful testimonials expanded our understanding of the impact that the WCC writing program has in the lives of individuals and communities. We learned from many voices and many communities about the power of making art together.
WCC is now recognized as a strong social prescription that is effective in addressing the global crisis of isolation and loneliness. In 2024, we explored how this happens within some of the many communities that we serve. We learned how our Six Essential Practices — the architecture of our workshops — create the conditions necessary to empower deep connection and ignite powerful authentic voice. We even published a book about it.
Evaluation and measurement continue to be part of our program delivery, and in 2024 we shared that knowledge more widely than ever before — in books, guest blogs, a podcast interview, conference presentations, an academic paper, and through innovative panel discussions.
The WCC program has proven impact in community, clinical, and peer-support settings. With a deeper understanding of the societal impact of our program and how to create and maintain the conditions needed to consistently deliver it, we will focus our attention in 2025 to more deeply understand the power that art-making and artistic expression have in transforming lives, communities, and society.
“[WCC workshops] reinforced my belief in the ability of creativity to help our clients engage in … a social setting that was really natural — many are so isolated they don’t get that — their life experience is often one of isolation. [WCC workshops] countered that.”
– Mental Health Advocate & workshop participant, Trillium Health Partners staff
We invite you to browse the Writers Collective of Canada 2024 Year in Review: Why We Write to discover how we amplify magnificent underheard voices through accessible arts-health programming. In it, you will hear from WCC partners, writers, volunteers, researchers, and others with powerful perspectives on the work we do and the impact it has.
Download the PDF here or request a copy by email at contact@wcc-cec.org .
“Writing led me to gratitude and then to radical acceptance of my own imperfections. It became a powerful complement to the work I was doing with a psychotherapist. Joy and peace followed naturally. Thanks to writing I am still here today, fighting for a better and brighter future for all.”
– Queen María, WCC writer & volunteer facilitator