The Royal has partnered with the Canadian Museum of Nature to support healing and community connection in an innovative way. Recreation therapists across our programs will now receive free museum tickets for patients participating in community integration groups, supporting their transition back into the community after hospitalization or institutional care.
This initiative is part of the broader Park Prescriptions (PaRx) program, delivered alongside the BC Parks Foundation, which aims to make nature accessible and welcoming for everyone.
Many of the individuals we serve face barriers to enjoying leisure activities, whether due to stigma, symptoms of mental illness, or financial constraints. To address this, our recreation therapists lead community integration groups that encourage exploration through social and nature-based experiences.
Thanks to the generosity of the Canadian Museum of Nature, patients can now regularly visit the museum as part of their therapeutic program, using these experiences as powerful tools for connection, self-expression, and recovery.
To deepen our understanding of this innovative partnership, we spoke with Emma Scullion, one of The Royal’s recreation therapists and Angeline Laffin, Vice-President of Experience and Engagement for the Canadian Museum of Nature.
Emma Scullion, Recreation Therapist, Forensic Outpatient Program
Q: Can you tell us a bit about what you do as a recreation therapist at The Royal?
A: I work with patients who are living with mental illness and are transitioning back into the community after periods of hospitalization and institutional living.
As a recreation therapist, I support patients in their recovery by helping them build the skills and knowledge needed to engage confidently in meaningful leisure activities and connect with their community. Many of our patients face barriers to leisure and community involvement due to stigma, symptoms of illness, limited finances, or lack of knowledge about accessible resources and activities available in Ottawa. I help patients rebuild a balanced leisure lifestyle by exploring their interests, introducing new activities, and using leisure as a tool for connection, self-expression, and wellness.
Q: Can you tell us about the community integration group you facilitate and how the partnership with the Canadian Museum of Nature came about?
A: For many of the people I work with, finding meaningful and enjoyable activities that fit both their interests and budget can be challenging. As part of my therapeutic work, I facilitate a community integration group where patients can experience a wide variety of leisure activities available in the community. The purpose of this group is to provide exposure to different activities to help participants identify their interests and expand their knowledge of the recreational activities available in Ottawa. Visiting museums is one of the outings we regularly do.
In my role, I frequently reach out to community organizations to create opportunities for patients to engage in meaningful leisure activities that might otherwise be unavailable to them. This is how the partnership with the Canadian Museum of Nature began - I contacted them to inquire about admission tickets for my group. The museum responded generously and warmly. Together, we recognized the potential to expand this opportunity further and from that initial exchange, the idea grew into a formal partnership.
Now, recreation therapists across different programs at The Royal can bring patients to the museum regularly as part of therapeutic programming, using leisure and nature-based experiences as tools for recovery. It’s amazing to see how this collaboration has grown to benefit so many people.
Q: How do Community Integration Programs like these museum visits or nature exposure support mental wellness and recovery?
A: Some people living with significant mental health challenges can face barriers to finding new and enjoyable activities, which may lead to boredom, isolation, and increased risk of harmful activities.
Creating opportunities for low-pressure engagement in meaningful activities with peers, such as visiting museums or exploring nature, allows for social connection, learning, and relaxation in supportive environments, which can ease feelings of isolation and improve overall mood.
That’s why we are incredibly grateful to the Museum of Nature for helping make nature and wellness more accessible to the people we support. Partnerships like this remind us that recovery happens not just within our walls, but out in the community, in places where people can rediscover themselves and what brings them joy. By offering meaningful leisure experiences, we are able to support patients to reconnect with themselves, their communities, and the greater world beyond.
Q: What would you say to a patient who might be nervous about community integration?
A: I’d let them know it’s okay to feel nervous – even I feel that way sometimes. Community outings can feel intimidating at first, but when you can go with friends, or a supportive group of peers, they often become positive, confidence-building experiences. Exploring new activities or interests is definitely worth the risk. You never know where it might lead!
Angeline Laffin, Vice-President, Experience and Engagement, Canadian Museum of Nature
Q: Why is this partnership important to the museum?
A: This is a really important partnership for us. As a part of the Ottawa community, the Canadian Museum of Nature aims to provide a welcoming space where visitors can come away enriched and inspired.
When it comes to our mental health, a growing body of scientific evidence suggests that spending time exploring nature, socializing in museums or art galleries, and enjoying educational experiences can have a positive impact on a range of conditions, such as anxiety, stress, and chronic pain.
Our museum offers a wonderful exploration of Canada’s natural history. Through this partnership, we can offer a great introduction to a museum visit for patients of The Royal, and a way for them to discover more about the natural world. We feel this is a very important contribution that we can make to our community.
Q: How does this partnership align with the museum’s mission or values?
A: As both a cultural and scientific institution, the Canadian Museum of Nature aims to inspire people to understand and appreciate nature.
Spending time visiting the museum is a way to create that connection. The museum is also a civic destination here in Ottawa, so we are pleased to be able to give back to the community through this partnership.
Q: What do you hope patients take away from their time here?
A: We really want all visitors to the Canadian Museum of Nature to feel welcome and safe, to come away feeling inspired by the diversity and beauty of nature, to experience a sense of wonder, and to have a great visit!