"Together We Care" June 2026 Newsletter | | Floral Artistry in Full Bloom – May Edition | | |
June Highlights: Moments of Care, Creativity & Community
This issue highlights a range of upcoming opportunities designed to support caregiver well-being and connection, including engaging July workshops such as the DIY Sewing Kit Workshop, DIY Candle Making, Make Your Own Living Plant Wreath, DIY Summer Straw Hat Making, and a Healthy Cooking Class, along with a relaxing Explore Lavenderland field trip. It also features practical Caregiver Hub updates on staying safe during hot weather and preventing heat-related illness, while the Caregivers’ Sharing section explores meaningful topics like balancing cultural expectations and personal boundaries, navigating family relationships, and maintaining emotional well-being in caregiving. In addition, we highlight community partner offerings such as Stress Management for Arthritis with Oasis, Coffee & Chat (Mandarin) with Alzheimer Society, Thrive 55+ programs, and Safety tips for online shopping.
Together, we hope this issue brings inspiration, practical support, and a sense of connection to your caregiving journey.
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Beat the Heat: Tips for Caregivers
Hot weather can quickly become dangerous—especially for older adults, people with chronic conditions, and those with limited mobility. As a caregiver, you play a key role in preventing heat-related illness, which occurs when the body can’t cool down fast enough but is often preventable.
Keep it simple: encourage frequent drinking (even if not thirsty), keep indoor spaces cool (aim below 31°C), and limit activity during the hottest part of the day. Check in often—those you support may not notice early signs like dizziness, fatigue, or confusion.
Watch for warning signs such as nausea, headache, or unusual tiredness. Heat stroke is a medical emergency—call 911 right away if someone becomes confused, stops sweating, or has a very high body temperature.
Small steps—like offering water, closing blinds, or helping someone access a cooler space—can make a big difference in staying safe during heat waves.
Click here for details. (Source from HealthLink BC)
| | June/July 2026 Activities | | |
Notes and updates:
Enjoy a range of free services and activities dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of unpaid caregivers for seniors aged 55+ living at home in Richmond (conditions apply).
*Please call 604-279-7099, email caregivernavigator@rcrg.org or fill in an online form.
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(English/Cantonese) on Jul 8 at 10:30am
Discover the practical joy of needlework in our DIY Sewing Kit workshop. In this hands-on session, you will learn the essential techniques of basic stitching, fabric handling, and button fastening as you assemble your very own personalized, compact sewing kit. This workshop focuses on foundational skills that are perfect for handling everyday clothing repairs, upcycling fabric scraps, or starting small craft projects.
Under the supportive guidance of Florence Chan, each participant will be guided step-by-step through different stitching patterns and safety tips in a warm, relaxed atmosphere. This activity is an excellent opportunity to develop fine motor control, focus, and patience.
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(English/Mandarin) on Jul 13 at 2:00pm
Step into the soothing world of sensory crafting in our DIY Candle Making workshop. In this relaxing session, you will learn the fundamental art of candle creation, including how to safely melt wax, secure wicks, and pour beautiful, clean-burning candles. This workshop focuses on the balance of temperature, technique, and patience required to blend subtle colors and create a flawlessly finished product.
Under the expert guidance of Virginia Chan, you will discover how to customize your creations, transforming simple ingredients into a comforting source of light. This activity offers a peaceful and supportive environment to practice patience, mindfulness, and creative design.
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Make Your Own Living Plant Wreath
(English/Mandarin) on Jul 14 at 10:00am
Connect with nature and expand your gardening skills in our 'Make Your Own Living Plant Wreath' workshop. In this unique hands-on session, you will learn the art of botanical propagation while constructing a beautiful, living wreath. This workshop focuses on the fundamentals of plant care, demonstrating how to select, clip, and safely arrange live succulent cuttings into a moss or soil base that allows them to root and thrive over time.
Under the expert guidance of Ms. Shirley Yang, you will explore layout design, texture grouping, and structural techniques to ensure your wreath remains healthy and balanced. This activity is a wonderful way to foster environmental mindfulness, patience, and artistic composition.
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DIY Straw Hat Making
(English/Mandarin) on Jul 20 at 2:00pm
Embrace the warmth of the season and showcase your personal style in our DIY Summer Straw Hat Making workshop. In this fun and practical session, you will learn how to design, embellish, and customize a classic straw hat to create the perfect summer accessory. This workshop focuses on the artistic arrangement of decorations, teaching techniques for securely adding ribbons, floral accents, or unique patterns that reflect your individual flair.
This activity provides a wonderful, relaxed space to practice artistic design, patience, and fine coordination. You will leave the workshop with a beautiful, custom-made sun hat that is ready to wear on your next outdoor adventure or to give as a charming, thoughtful summer gift!
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Field Trip -
Explore Lavenderland
Jul 27 from 10:00am - 2:00pm
Escape into nature with our Explore Lavenderland Field Trip—a refreshing outdoor experience where you’ll stroll through blooming lavender fields and discover how this calming herb is harvested and used. Ideal for nature lovers and anyone seeking a relaxing getaway, this trip offers a blend of scenic beauty, hands-on learning, and soothing aromatherapy.
Come unwind, explore, and take home a fragrant memory.
Shuttle bus service is provided roundtrip from Richmond Caring Place.
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Honouring Duty and Self: Caregiving Across Cultures - Featuring Maybo Lui
How do familial expectations and cultural traditions impact how you show up as a family caregiver? This is a question Maybo Lui has considered ever since she unexpectedly became a secondary caregiver for her husband’s father just weeks after they married. A registered clinical counsellor herself, Maybo observes her position from both a professional lens and a cultural one—as Chinese Canadians, there is filial piety and conflicting cultural assumptions at play.
In their conversation, host Bill Israel and Maybo discuss the impacts of caregiving for an in-law, on both the marriage relationship and the wider family dynamic. Maybo seeks to strike a balance between the selfless expectations of her Chinese heritage and the more Western values of individuality and boundaries. Her approach to thoughtful decision-making and embracing each opportunity for relationship-building will resonate with caregivers from every cultural background.
Reconsider how you care for your family member and yourself with Maybo’s insights:
- How forethought can soften our natural tendencies to pull away or become too involved
- The tension between independence and cultural expectations in caring for a parent
- The concept of filial piety and cultu as it relates to emotional and physical caregiving
- How sensitive boundary-setting can preserve healthy relationships
Click here to listen to the podcast.
Source from Family Caregivers of British Columbia
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Would you like to share your stories or tips? You cannot imagine how much you could inspire or help another in the community! You are welcome to call us at 604-279-7099, or email caregivernavigator@rcrg.org.
| | Materials of Recent Workshops | |
Find more caregiving materials and resources shared on our website.
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This monthly e-newsletter is issued for our caregivers as an update of the Hub's services and community resources, as well as to share caregiving experience and insights, all for the purpose of supporting caregivers in their journey of healthy living and caregiving.
Read Past Newsletters:
2026
January . February . March. April . May
2025
June. July August. September. October. November. December
| | Jocelyn Wong, Executive Director | Rebecca Swaim, Chair | | Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives | 604-279-7020 | info@rcrg.org | | | | |
