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NEW Heartstrings Program

We attend music concerts to relax, socialize with friends & family, experience something new and unplug.  If you attend the symphony regularly you can attest to the benefits of enjoying live music in a full concert hall. Did you know that studies have scientifically proven that music positively influences both the mind and body?

We all know we should eat well, exercise frequently and manage stress. Experiencing live classical music can positively affect brain activity, cognitive function and mood. It can lower stress levels, reduce pain and the harms of isolation, like depression, and help us disconnect from our devices and connect with the community around us.

This season we are making concert tickets available for prescription! When you return a concert ticket you cannot use, your ticket becomes available to be  socially prescribed by a local doctor or community organization. Thank you for sharing the benefits of music with someone who really needs them. To find out how to access socially prescribed symphony tickets contact Nanaimo Family Life. You can support this program by donating here.

Send Every Grade 4 Student to a VIS Concert
Help transform young lives through the power of music

Your donation can be the catalyst for transforming lives through the power of music.
Help us send every Grade 4 student to a VIS concert designed specifically for them.
The VIS Music Education program builds music appreciation and participation in
over 2,500 nine and  ten year old children each year.
Let’s welcome the symphony audiences of the future together!

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Social Prescribing

Social prescribing is a holistic healthcare approach where providers connect patients with non-clinical, community-based services to address the social determinants of health. It aligns directly with the 1948 WHO definition of health as a state of “complete physical, mental and social well-being,” by treating the root causes of illness beyond traditional medical treatments.

Developed through the collaborative efforts of healthcare and community sectors, social prescribing focuses on the “whole person”. It bridges clinical care and community resources through several key pillars:

Physical Well-being: Referrals connect individuals to local walking trails, fitness classes, cycling lessons, or nutrition programs to improve active living and physical health. 

Mental Well-being: Prescriptions often involve art classes, creative expression, or nature-based activities that reduce stress, alleviate anxiety, and foster personal skill development. 

Social Well-being: By linking people to peer-support groups, befriending services, and volunteer opportunities, social prescribing actively combats loneliness and strengthens community connection.

Instead of just treating symptoms, this approach empowers individuals to co-create solutions with healthcare professionals and community “link workers” to improve their overall quality of life. You can explore more about this global framework via the World Health Organization.