Nourish + Flourish
A space to be, explore and evolve in community
The Office of Student Life offers you a different take on what student leadership can look and feel like through the Nourish + Flourish program!
Nourish + Flourish offers a space for students to come together, experience authentic connections with one another, pause, reflect, and discuss topics that connect us. An important part of building community is breaking bread together, so the discussion happens while enjoying a locally prepared meal.
You have a lot to offer! All you will need to participate is openness, your existing knowledge, wisdom, and lived experiences.
Through this program, we hope to de-centre the individual in leadership and instead focus on cultivating leadership through the values of care, curiosity, and respect that bring us together as a strong interdependent community.
Each event has a unique theme centred around the self in relationship to the world around us to foster connection, ideas, and empowerment.
Our values:- Accessibility
- Authenticity
- Collaboration
- Collectivity
- Community impact
- Connection
- Decolonisation
- Diverse population
- Empathy
- Honouring lived experience
- Inspiration-driven
- Making space for all voices
- Power with
- Process-driven
- Relationality
Upcoming events
Events are free and open to all students. You don't have to bring anything but yourself and a willingness to be open and connect with others. All lived experiences are welcome.
These events are conversation-based, requiring a level of connection and vulnerability that we hope to cultivate from the beginning of each evening. To ensure that you and your table have the best experience, we ask you to let us know if you cannot attend the event in its entirety. We will prioritize attendance for people who can participate fully.
Registration for our first event is now open.
Relationship to GRATITUDE
Monday, February 10, 2025, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Grad House (in the Halpern Centre for Graduate Students)
- Topics discussed: appreciation, daily practice, personal wellbeing, values
- Catered by: Grad House
Register for Relationship to GRATITUDE
Relationship to BEING ALONE
Monday, March 3 2025, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.
- Topics discussed: Loneliness, solitude, isolation, wellness, socialization
- Catered by: Grad House
Register for Relationship to BEING ALONE
Relationship to Music
Monday, March 17 2025, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.
- Topics discussed: Melodies and lyrics, soundtracks, hobbies and musical skills, mood and feelings, historical storytelling
- Catered by: Grad House
Registration for Relationship to MUSIC opens February 24 at 12:00 p.m.
End of Year Celebration
Monday, March 31 2025, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.
This will be a drop in event.
Coffee Catch-Ups
Drop by the Welcome Centre (located on the first floor of the Jamie Cassels Centre) every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for drinks, pastries, and great conversation with Student Life Mentors (SLMs) and the N + F team. It's a relaxed, come-and-go space so join us whenever you're free!
Upcoming dates:
- January 28
- February 4
- February 11
- February 18
- February 25
- March 4
- March 11
- March 18
- March 25
- April 1
Other initiatives
In collaboration with University Food Services, the N + F team will distribute 250 vouchers for free soup during the fall exam period and the start of the winter term, providing support to students when time is limited, and capacity is stretched.
On December 10, 2024, from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., students can receive a free coffee and soup coupon (while supplies last) outside of McPherson Library.
Previous events
- Relationship to SELF
- Topics discussed: Influences, self-expression, belonging, feeling seen, self-compassion, collective compassion
- Catered by Roast Sandwich Shop
- Relationship to LAND, WATER, AND AIR
- Topics discussed: The natural world, co-existence, appreciation, ancestral rituals and practices, environmental impacts, settler colonialism
- Catered by Songhees Events and Catering
- Relationship to TECHNOLOGY
- Topics discussed: Impact on self, community, culture, and environment, artificial intelligence
- Catered by La Pasta La Pizza
- Relationship to SELF (Redux)
- Topics discussed: Belonging, imposter syndrome, gifts, personal stories
- Catered by Songhees Events and Catering
- Relationship to COMMUNITY
- Topics discussed: Accountability, community building, safer spaces, learning from others
- Catered by International Women’s Catering Coop
- Relationship to PRODUCTIVITY AND REST
- Topics discussed: Shame, capitalism, student life, recovery, stress, expectations
- Catered by Estia Gourmet
- Relationship to LIFE TRANSITIONS
- Topics discussed: Adulthood, responsibilities, identity exploration, instability, possibility, expectations
- Catered by: Little Piggy Catering
- Relationship to ACADEMIA
- Topics discussed: Pursuit of research and education, exploration, inclusion, institutions, ethics, learning outside the classroom
- Catered by: Chunky Kitchen Catering
- Relationship to CREATIVITY AND ART
- Topics discussed: Expression, historical context, power and authority, beauty standards, making meaning
- Catered by: Syriana Restaurant and Catering
- Relationship to OTHERS
- Topics discussed: Healthy relationships, break-ups, hook-up culture, familial and romantic relationships, friendships, supervisors/professor relationships
- Catered by: Songhees Events and Catering
- Relationship to FOOD and CULTURE
- Topics discussed: Family recipes, traditional food, social experiences, food security
- Catered by: Degrees Catering
- Relationship to EMBODIMENT
- Topics discussed: Senses, sensory experiences, mind-body connection, awareness
- Catered by: Degrees Catering
- Relationship to LEADERSHIP
- Topics discussed: role models, personal values, relationship building, leadership approaches
- Catered by: Grad House
- Dessert by: Wah Lai Yuen Bakery + Restaurant
- Relationship to OCCUPATION
- Topics discussed: career uncertainty, success, values and goals, influences, societal expectations
- Catered by: Grad House
- Dessert by: Saltchuck Pie Company
- Relationship to SELF-COMPASSION
- Topics discussed:self-acceptance, validation, common humanity, mindfulness, self-kindness.
- Catered by: Grad House
Contact
Sign up to get emailed about Nourish + Flourish event updates, including registration opening and coffee catch ups.
Sign up for Nourish+Flourish updates
For registration questions, please email the team at nourishflourish@uvic.ca. For any other questions or further information, please email our Student Leadership Coordinator at oslengage@uvic.ca.