“All you do is write?”
During Writers Collective of Canada’s (WCC’s) first decade, conversations with leading social service, community, arts, and health leaders around the country often carried an undercurrent of scepticism. Although we could cite academic evidence, transformational stories, and rigorous program evaluations attesting to the powerful impact of our programming, it felt like we were in a perpetual state of proving ourselves. Experience taught us that if we could get just people into a WCC workshop, even the sceptics were likely to become champions of our program. But, reaching even that modest milestone was often a steep uphill climb.
This year, there’s been a shift. I’m no longer the one requesting meetings—leaders of those organizations now approach us. I spend less time making our case and more time answering questions from people who already “get” the case for arts-health community programming as necessary to meet the need for meaningful, authentic connection.
This is not solely the result of a decade of work—it is indicative of a critical moment.
“We all want to be seen and understood. Sometimes all we need is acknowledgment of our worth and value. This is something we can do for each other — and for ourselves.” – Dr. Vivek H. Murthy 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States
Isolation and loneliness, and the devastating effects of these epidemics on both mental and physical well-being, are now the subject of mainstream news headlines, academic reports, books, and podcasts. The statistics are alarming. The World Health Organization estimates 1 in 4 older adults experience social isolation and between 5-15% of adolescents do so as well. This data has created a groundswell of interest in social prescription—a term I wasn’t familiar with until two years ago when we discovered that a physician had started to prescribe WCC workshops to his psychosis patients.
“More than 80% of a person’s health depends on social determinants like adequate food, housing, income, and relationships with others…social prescribing bridges the gap between medical health and social care.” – Social Prescribing in Canada Report, 2025
Social prescribing as a non-clinical intervention underscores the critical role of human connection as a core determinant of health alongside adequate food, housing, and income. It represents a powerful shift in the delivery of healthcare where, in addition to prescribing medication, a physician might prescribe an art class, cycling club, dancing, or a writing workshop.
Amidst a global crisis of isolation and loneliness, at a time when human connection is at an unprecedented low and the demands on Canada’s health-care system are at an overwhelming high, community arts programs are an accessible opportunity to build resilient, connected communities.
By shifting our societal focus from clinical treatment to prevention and holistic care, socially prescribed programs like WCC community writing workshops can lead to a 42% reduction in primary care appointments and a 24% reduction in emergency department visits. Every dollar invested in social prescribing programs in Canada has an estimated return of $4.43—an effective and efficient strategy to support the health and wellbeing of communities across Canada.
“High-quality social connections are essential to our mental and physical health and our well-being. Social isolation and loneliness are important, yet neglected, social determinants for people of all ages.” – World Health Organization
Social prescriptions go beyond helping people survive and inspire them to thrive. With every workshop, WCC writers improve their resiliency, self-esteem, sense of purpose, connectedness, overall mental health, and wellness—the benefits are proven through independent program evaluation.
In WCC workshops, pen and page are used to achieve bold acts of confession, sense-making, musing, and marvel—and each of these brave acts is witnessed and affirmed by others. While writing is our modality and magnificent art is its output, our workshops focus equally on practices of sharing, deep listening, and affirmation.
Most importantly, perhaps, is that we write together. In revealing ourselves bravely on the page, we forge deeper connections with self and others. Together, we open the door to countless benefits we are only just beginning to understand, yet witness nonetheless in each and every WCC workshop. Our work has never been more urgent, never more necessary.
Writing together, we change the world.
– Shelley Lepp, WCC Chief Executive Officer