Soul Space is a collective of frontline workers, wellness providers, and community members who aim to support the spiritual care needs of frontline street health, harm reduction, community and social service workers in Ottawa, Canada.
We facilitate gatherings to explore reflective practices, such as creative arts, yoga, meditation, forest bathing and more, to prevent and heal from burnout, grief and loss.
Soul Space is more than ‘self-care,’ we offer 'collective care,' or healing within community with others who understand the unique experience of frontline work.
How we offer support.
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Frontline workers who care for people experiencing poverty, homelessness, mental health and substance use issues deal with trauma in their care of clients, and many have experienced trauma themselves.
They are at high risk of experiencing burn-out, vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue - conditions from which it can take months to years to recover.
We intend to be part of the holistic care that can support frontline workers in their journeys as they face these challenges.
Soul Space is a collective of frontline workers, wellness providers, and community members from within and beyond First United Church in Ottawa (which provides financial and programming oversight).
Together, we offer opportunities for collective spiritual (but not religious) care for street health, harm reduction, community and social service workers in Ottawa.
Soul Space Wellness Providers come from different backgrounds and are individuals who nurture their spirituality within and outside of organized faith communities. They offer diverse supportive tools that tend to spiritual wholeness, including arts-based activities, massage and healing touch, and spiritually focused conversation. Soul Space Wellness Providers are volunteers who maintain their own perspectives on faith and spirituality, but are careful not to impose their perspectives on others by maintaining a deep respect for the rights, beliefs, and traditions of others. They seek to offer support with their own areas of expertise and can refer people to resources that provide additional supports.
The Frontline Worker Advisory Group informs and shapes the activities and offerings of Soul Space, ensuring that the supports and care that is offered is relevant, timely and attentive to the culture, community and personal identity and needs of street health and harm reduction workers in Ottawa.
Community members, from within and beyond First United Church in Ottawa, form the Soul Space Steering Committee. This committee provides the infrastructure, financial accountability and administrative support necessary to ensure that Soul Space offerings are accessible, diverse, safe, welcoming and affirming for all Soul Space participants.
Download our latest Annual Reports for more information about what we have been up to.
Soul Space partnered with researchers at the University of Ottawa and Queen's University, and with street health workers at Ottawa Inner City Health to understand the needs, preferences and impact of holistic support on the wellbeing of frontline street health workers at Ottawa Inner City Health.
Financial donations are always welcome to support frontline workers' participation in Soul Space offerings at little to no cost to them. Your financial contribution is tax-deductible and can be a one-time or ongoing pledge of support.
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