Non-UVRA Events
UVRA also aims to involve its membership through different valuable resources and educational programs offered by other organizations (i.e., AROHE, CURAC, and many more) that might interest some of its valued members. There are also invitations from various departments at UVic, and from students looking for 55+ participants for their research studies, received by UVRA for distribution to its membership. These items are first made known to UVRA members via emails, when appropriate, and then placed on the UVRA website under the Non-UVRA Events navigation bar.
Upcoming Events:
UVIC EVENTS
Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health (IALH)’s April 2026 Update
ABOUT: IALH’s April 2026 update covers important and timely topics. Explore what’s new from the Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health this month, including talks, studies you can participate in, and learning opportunities connected to healthy aging and lifelong wellbeing.
LINK TO VIEW:
https://e1.envoke.com/m/809e394f1d485310a4f65d4dd8412f60/m/009603ad7e179bc5cdb69d8206811a6f/
UVic Continuing Studies Spring 2026 Comunity Health Courses
MOVEMENT SOLUTIONS FOR CHRONIC PAIN
Delivery style: Face to face (UVic Campus)
Date: Wednesday, April 29
Time: 5:30 to 8:30 pm
Fee: $46 plus GST
Registration and course description: https://continuingstudies.uvic.ca/health-wellness-and-safety/courses/movement-solutions-for-chronic-pain
Volunteer Opportunity
Volunteer for June Convocation!
Connect with UVic graduating students and help make their big day unforgettable! Spring Convocation is June 8-12 and looking for volunteers to support over 3100 grads across TWELVE ceremonies. From adjusting gowns and welcoming students to calming nerves and assisting during the ceremony, the volunteers make the day run seamlessly. Whether you’ve helped before or it’s your first time, UVic would love to have you.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 31, 2026
MORE DETAILS: https://volunteer.bloomerang.co/volunteer/#/join-party?k=lz4urozdcehhez
CURAC EVENTS
CURAC Newsletter December 2025
WELCOME TO ISSUE NUMBER THREE OF THE RELAUNCHED CURAC NEWS
This issue features a longer list of stories from CURAC members across Canada. This issue also includes several opportunities for college and university retirees to become involved with CURAC, from participating in the Later Life Learning committee to joining the CURAC board or a committee.
MORE DETAILS: https://curac.ca/en/blog/december-2025-newsletter
CommonAge Annual Newsletter, January 2026
PRIORITISING WELLNESS FOR SUCCESS
MORE DETAILS: https://mailchi.mp/4d47b0c58ee9/commonage-welcome-newsletter-19881593?e=e64bbb6b5e
CURAC Travel Newsletter
ABOUT: In this newsletter, they are featuring several 2027 destinations/trips, including Curaçao Combo Stay (new departure date), Wonders of Costa Rica, and their newly released Portugal Combo Stay. Interested in discovering Montenegro and Albania? They have just launched a new 10 day tour to this area of the Balkans. They are also highlighting their Explore South Africa departure with a recently recorded presentation to watch! Last, but not least, Trip Merchant’s 10th year anniversary cruise departure (in 2028) with Azamara is now available!
REGISTRATION: https://tripmerchant.com/register
CONTACT: CURAC Travel Newsletter at info@tripmerchant.com
Invitation to McMaster University Optimal Aging Portal ZOOM Session
WALKING YOUR WAY TO BETTER HEALTH
DATE: April 29, 2026, 7:00 PM EDT
WHERE: Online via Zoom
ABOUT THE EVENT: Walking is one of the easiest and most effective ways to stay active, independent, and healthy as we age. But how many steps do you really need? Does speed matter? What about Nordic walking or seasonal challenges? Should you use an assistive device? Join Dr. Marla Beauchamp for a free 60-minute webinar to learn the latest evidence on the benefits of walking, along with practical tips for walking safely and maximizing those benefits. Hosted by Dr. Anthony Levinson.
REGISTRATION: https://alumlc.org/mcmaster/50140/register
Invitation to Wilfred Laurier University Free Online monthly Lecture Series
In 2026, the Faculty of Social Work proudly celebrates its 60th anniversary, a milestone that reflects six decades of leadership, learning and unwavering commitment to social justice. To honor this legacy, they invite you to join the Professional Development Office for a free monthly lecture series throughout the year.
All lectures will be held remotely through Zoom. There will be a maximum of 300 spots for each lecture.
LECTURES:
May 19: Joy on the Journey: Lessons from Positive Psychology to Increase Balance, Well-Being and Happiness -- and Project Against Burnout
July 16: The Embodied Self: How Presence Becomes the Somatic and Relational Foundation of Competence
REGISTRATION: https://continuingeducation.wlu.ca/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=8043767
AROHE EVENTS
AROHE Matters: March 2026 Academic Retiree News
This issue of AROHE Matters highlights the value and contributions of volunteers and resources and opportunities for impactful service.
LINK TO VIEW: https://www.arohe.org/resources/EmailTemplates/%20AROHE%20Matters%202026-3/index_preview.html
Invitation to AROHE’s Virtual session
AGING ALONE TOGETEHR: UNIQUE CONSIDERATIONS TO SUPPORT SOLO AGERS
DATE: Monday, April 27, 2026, 3:00-4:00 pm EDT
REGISTRATION AND DETAILS: https://www.arohe.org/event-6627299/Registration
OTHER EVENTS
UBC Emeritus College | Winter 2026 Newsletter
The Winter 2026 issue of the UBC Emeritus College Newsletter is available online with:
- An Order of BC recipient's groundbreaking research on infant pain.
- An emeritus' research to examine preparedness for a magnitude-9 earthquake in BC.
- How an art- and imagination-based counselling method developed by an emeritus is bringing healing to children in war-torn Ukraine.
- Special interest groups and how they drive adventure in retirement.
- Important transitions to retirement information.
- Updates to health and travel insurance plans.
- How College subsidies support research passions in retirement.
- Exciting, upcoming events and more!
LINK TO READ: https://emerituscollege.ubc.ca/newsletter
Self-Management Programs
Self-Management BC offers a variety of online and telephone-based workshops and programs which provide support and tips on how to self-manage frailty, pain, and/or other chronic conditions.
- Virtual Self-Management Workshops - available for Chronic Conditions, Chronic Pain, Diabetes, and Cancer: These 6-week workshops are conducted virtually, via Zoom. Groups of up to 8 participants meet virtually, once per week, for 2.5 hours per session.
- Self-Management Health Coach Program: This is a one-on-one telephone-based coaching program to support people living with chronic conditions to become better self-managers. Each individual is paired with a coach and receives a weekly, 30-minute phone call for a period of 3 months. Coaches are volunteers who may be living with chronic health conditions, and are passionate to help others to achieve wellness.
- New! Frailty Coaching Program: This is a one-on-one telephone-based program that supports adults in BC who wish to prevent and/or slow down the progression of frailty. A trained peer frailty coach connects with each participant by telephone once a week for approximately 30-45 minutes for 3 months. Participants will learn self-management strategies.
- Better Choices, Better Health® Online Program: Interactive group workshop sessions are posted online each week for a period of 6 weeks, and participants may log on at their convenience to complete weekly activities and interact with their group via internal messaging and discussion boards. Participants can remain anonymous.
- Tool Kit for Active Living Program - available for Chronic Conditions, Chronic Pain, Diabetes, and Cancer: This is a self-study program in which participants receive the “Living a Healthy Life” resource book and self-assessment booklet. For those who enjoy independent self-paced learning.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SELF-MANAGEMENT BC: https://www.selfmanagementbc.ca/upcomingworkshops?type=0&delivery=0
Open Doors Travel
CULTURAL TOUR TO PORTUGAL WITH ROSA STEWART & FRIENDS!
ABOUT THE TOUR: For over 30 years, Rosa Stewart taught in Hispanic and Italian Studies, but she also led or assisted with tours organized by Continuing Studies. These tours were usually guided by UVic faculty and there was an opportunity to share their knowledge and experience with the people that traveled with them. Sadly, the tours ended with COVID. Last year, Rosa was approached to lead a tour for the spring of 2026 by a company that organized tours for Continuing Studies in the past. She decided that this tour should be to Portugal, one of her favourite countries. This is a 12-day adventure in May of 2026 and her co-leader, Mané, is from Setúbal, outside of Lisbon. With Mané and Rosa you will see parts of Portugal often missed by big groups.
If you would like more information please check out this link: https://tours.opendoorstravel.ca/t/open-doors-travel/timeless-portugal-a-journey-through-history-culture-and-flavour Or, feel free to contact Rosa directly at rls@uvic.ca.
Cyber Seniors - Free Tech Help Webinar (April 27- May 1, 2026): AI and Modern Internet
REGISTRATION AND EVENT DETAILS:
Academics Without Borders (AWB)
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
STRENGTHENING CAPACITY IN COMPETENCY BASED CURRICULUM AT MURANG'A UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Academics Without Borders (AWB) is looking for a faculty member (working or retired) with a PhD in Education and experience in curriculum development and pedagogy. Applicants should have excellent interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills and be excited about the role of higher education in global development.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 11, 2026
MORE DETAILS: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A7Mgm9gK0QTtWPtgXtLXOonmuxRCyvcx/view
Invitation to Island Health Research Dispatch
LIVE FROM RESEARCH
- Apr. 22 (12 – 12:30 pm): Dr. Colette Smart, “Complex Trauma: Building a Life Worth Living”
- Jun. 24 (12 – 12:30 pm: Dr. Markus Sikkel, “Responsible Cardiology in a Resource-Limited System”
IN-PERSON EVENTS
- May 28 (1 – 3 pm): Older Adults in the Emergency Department: Experiences, Gaps, and Better Ways Forward (Eldercare Foundation) *in person in Victoria
- June 11 (1 – 3 pm): Addressing Inequities in Dementia Care Through Community-Led Approaches: A Focus on BC’s Chinese Community (Eldercare Foundation) *in person in Victoria
FIVE DAYS IN MAY
- May 1 (10 am): From Participation To Empowerment: What Meaningful Engagement In Research Really Looks Like
- May 8 (10 am): Healthy Aging: Building Communities Where Seniors Thrive
- May 15 (11:30 am): 10 Years In: What We’re Learning From BC’s Toxic Drug Response
- May 22 (1 pm): Beyond Brain Injury: Rethinking Diagnosis, Support, and Recovery
- May 29 (10 am): Indigenous-Led Research: Reclaiming Knowledge, Redefining Health
RESEARCH STUDIES
Participate in a Research Study at UVic
THE COGNITION AND OLDER ADULT STRESS (COAST) STUDY
IALH Research Fellow Dr. Theone Paterson and PhD Student Affiliate Cian Dabrowski, are conducting an online and in-person study to determine the impacts of stress experienced across the lifespan on cognition, aging, and brain health. The aim of this study is to investigate whether stress influences physical, psychological, and cognitive health outcomes in older adults. Individuals who are 65 or older and live in the greater Victoria area are eligible. Participants will be asked to complete an online confidential survey (~30 minutes) and an in-person cognitive assessment and fNIRS monitoring session (~1.5 hours). Participants will also receive a gift card for their involvement.
To participate, email COAST_study@uvic.ca.
Participate in a Research Study at Concordia University
PARTNERS’ ACTIONS TOWARD HEALTH (PATH) STUDY
They are looking for couples in which at least one partner is trying to change their diet and/or physical activity habits. The main goal of this study is to investigate how different types of couples’ behaviors influence changes in eating and physical activity behaviors over time. Earn up to $150 as a couple for participating in this study!
ETHICS APPROVAL # 30022923
ABOUT THE STUDY: https://concordiau.wixsite.com/sirhlab/pathstudy
INTERESTED? https://concordia.yul1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/sv_2g93lbxd0urogqy
