Family Centre

When you have family responsibilities, being a learner, educator or staff member can be a balancing act. The Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Family Centre is here to help.

We offer tools and resources to support you as you face life’s challenges and care for your loved ones while making the most of your time at Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.

We’re also working hard to identify and address the family-related challenges our diverse community faces to provide a more family-friendly campus.

Father holding his little boy

Support the Centre

Your donation can make a significant impact on students in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences who are facing challenges in providing essentials for their children. Contributions help us offer vital support to families in need.

Donate online today

Note: When you are on the online donation page,  in the "Designation" field, select "Enter a fund name" from the drop-down menu. A text box will appear—enter: "Family Centre, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences."

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About the Centre

What we offer

The Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Family Centre is an evolving resource and support service connecting students and staff with valuable resources and services, including:

  • Monthly parent discussion group: Join our supportive community of parents.
  • Resource materials: Access helpful information and resources.
  • Public use computer: Register for maternity leave, employment insurance benefits, and apply for child care.
  • Child care assistance: Find child care as the University transitions back to in-person work/studies.
  • Nursing space and clinical placements: Get help locating suitable nursing space on campus or placement sites.

Contact us

We’re listening and want to hear from you – please let us know of any resources or services you would like to see on our webpage and in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Family Centre. Our goal is to provide you with information and services you need in a quick and direct way.

Email your questions, requests or feedback to FamilyCentre@umanitoba.ca.

Stay in the loop!

Diaper and formula drive

  • Baby holding a diaper.

  • The Family Centre is seeking your support to collect donations for students in our faculty who are struggling to provide their children with essentials like diapers and formula.

    Your generous contributions will make a real difference for student families facing hardship.

  • What we need

    • Diapers: Any size is appreciated, with high demand for sizes 4 and 5.
    • Powdered formula: For families with infants.
    • Financial donations: To help provide other essentials, including milk.

  • Drop-off locations

    • Family Centre, 280 Brodie Centre
    • Max Rady College of Medicine, 260 Brodie
    • Dean’s Offices: Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Rehabilitation Sciences

Family Centre services are available to any student in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences who needs them. Please visit the Family Centre to learn more.

Upcoming events Rady parent meet-up

The Rady Faculty Family Centre invites parents to join our monthly lunch hour meet-ups.

These gatherings provide a chance for parents to connect, share experiences, and discuss all things related to parenting while balancing work and studies.

Why join?

  • Connect with parent-friends: Meet others who understand the challenges of working and learning in a university environment.
  • Share and learn: Exchange experiences, ask questions, and gain support from fellow Rady faculty, staff, and students.
  • Bring your lunch: Feel free to bring your lunch and enjoy a casual and supportive atmosphere.

When and where

  • Days: Once per month on Wednesdays
  • Time: Noon to 1:00 p.m.
  • Location: Rady Faculty Family Centre

Joining the parent meet-up group is free, but we do need to keep track of how many will be coming. Please remember to register for each date you plan to attend.

Free service for students Rady Kids' Club

The Rady Kids’ Club is a safe and nurturing environment for children of students studying on the Bannatyne campus.

Who can participate? Children aged 4 to 12 years old are welcome to attend. Please note that all participants must be fully independent in using the bathroom.

Trained childminders - Our childminders are dedicated UM students who have undergone thorough Criminal Record and Child Abuse Registry checks.

Snacks included - We will ensure your little ones are well-nourished and happy during their time with us by providing healthy snacks.

Please stay available - For the safety and security of all, we kindly request that you stay on campus with your cell phone on while your child is enjoying play time in the gym.

When and where

  • When: Once per month on Saturdays
  • Time: 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
  • Where: Joe Doupe Gym, Bannatyne campus

Attendance in the Rady Kids' Club is free, but we need to keep track of the number of children attending. Please register in advance to ensure we can provide a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Support

Experiencing a life change on top of everything else you’re trying to balance can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone.

The information contained on this website and in any links to third party sites is provided on an “as is” basis and is offered for general information only.  The reader must accept full responsibility for the use of this information. 

There is no guarantee about the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness of the information found on this website or in any links to third party sites. Such information is provided without warranty of any kind.

The University of Manitoba and its agents, employees and students disclaim responsibility to any party for any loss or damage of any kind that may arise directly or indirectly as a result of the use of or reliance on the information contained in this website, including in any linked third party sites.

supports for Life changes

Change your personal information at UM

If you have a preferred name change, legal name, gender designation change, or address change you will need to notify the university.

Students: full details are available on the Registrars’ Office website.

Faculty and staff: send an email to HRIS@umanitoba.ca with the name related or gender designation change you wish to make and HR staff will guide you through the process.

Employees can self-update an address change through the employee self-service (ESS) portal.

Updating UM eligible staff benefits

Faculty and staff can update their benefits to add or remove a spouse through SharePoint. You may also use SharePoint to add a new dependent.

For more information, contact your staff benefits generalist to discuss any questions regarding your benefit and insurance coverage.

UM counselling services

Counselling is available for students, faculty and staff confronted with challenges of all kinds.

Students
Visit the Student Counselling Centre’s webpage to learn more about available services:

Faculty and staff
The University of Manitoba Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) is a voluntary and confidential counselling service for all University of Manitoba staff and their families. Visit the EAP employee and family assistance program page.

Getting married

Health and nutrition

Legal name change

Mental health and wellness

Separation/divorce/custody

Sleep

supports for Family planning

Pregnancy loss and infant loss

Counseling

Support and resources

Dragonfly Support Program at the Winnipeg Women’s Health Clinic offers counselling, peer support, group support, and resources (in English and French) for individuals and families impacted by pregnancy loss, infant loss, and babies born to spirit.

The Loss to Love app offers grief services to support people affected by pregnancy loss, TFMR, and infant loss.

Angel Baby offers an online memory wall and peer support group, available virtually or in-person in Steinbach, MB.

The Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Centre is based in Calgary, AB and offers virtual services at no cost to individuals across Canada and beyond. Services include professional support, peer group support, 1:1 peer support and a helpline available via text or online chat.

Free downloadable resources

Instagram: @sad.dads.club is a supportive community for loss dads.

Supports for pregnancy after loss

The Loss to Love app offers a pregnancy after loss (PAL) healing circle, group support in six-week sessions.

The Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Centre offers monthly drop-in peer support groups for individuals and partners who are currently pregnant again after miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal loss, or SIDS/SUDC who want to connect with others who are in a similar phase of the journey.

supports for Prenatal or postpartum

Applying for parental leave at UM

For information about the process for applying for leave, please visit SharePoint.

Having a baby

Midwifery and doula care

After your baby's arrival

Nursing supports

Support resources and groups

supports for Parenting

Activity ideas (1-5 years old)

YouTube videos:

Free parent resources - Winnipeg

Free parent resources - areas outside Winnipeg

Kids crafts and activities

LGBTQ parenting

Special needs parenting

Additional resources

Supports for Child care

Supports for Senior care

supports for Death

UM spouse, dependent, employee or retiree

Spouses or eligible dependents
If a spouse or eligible dependent passes away, you will need to contact the Staff Benefits Office. Staff Benefits will update the records and arrange for spousal/dependent life claims, if applicable.

Employees
If an employee passes away, the department will need to contact the Staff Benefits Office, who will check if any benefits are payable.

The department of the employee will need to complete a cessation form.

Retirees
If a retiree passes away, the family will need to contact the Staff Benefits Office, who will check if any benefits are payable.

The staff benefits office can be reached at benefits@umanitoba.ca.

UM compassionate care or bereavement leave

University Governance capture compassionate care or bereavement leaves within the leave of absence governing document. There you will find information on qualifying criteria and the benefits UM staff are entitled to.

Grief support

Financial benefits

Facilities

Gender inclusive bathrooms

Bannatyne campus offers neutral bathroom facilities in the following locations:

  • Apotex Centre, room 132 (first floor)
  • Basic Medical Sciences, 6th floor near elevator
  • Chown Building, room A284 (second floor) room 396 (third floor) and room 496 (fourth floor)
  • Clinical Learning and Simulation Facility (CLSF) rooms 34C, 35C and 36J
  • College of Rehabilitation Sciences, second floor room R225
  • Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, room D235K
  • Joe Doupe Recreation Centre
  • Medical Services Building, basement tunnel
  • Neil John MacLean Library, rooms 353 and 355
  • Pathology Building, P307 3rd floor

Change tables

Bannatyne campus offers change tables in the following locations:

  • Apotex Building, rooms 102 and 109 (first floor)
  • Brodie Centre, rooms 171, 172 (first floor) and 275 and 276 (second floor)
  • Clinical Learning and Simulation Facility (CLSF) rooms 34C, 35C and 36J
  • Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, room D127
  • Medical Services Building, rooms 208A and 209A (second floor)
  • Neil John MacLean Library, room 353

Child feeding room

The University of Manitoba campuses are a safe space to feed your child anywhere on campus.

The Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Family Centre offers a private and quiet area if for nursing, chest feeding and pumping. Located at 290A Brodie Centre, the child feeding room is available to all staff, faculty and learners.

The room is equipped with a sink, fridge, microwave, change station, two couches and a table for your comfort. The space also has toiletries, including diapers, baby wipes, disposable nursing pads, pads and tampons.

How to access this space

Email the Family Centre to gain access to the child feeding room. Please include your name, department and your employee or student number in your email. If you require a nursing space in your College or clinical placement, let us know and we can look into finding an ad hoc space that can you can use.

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Contact us

Family Centre
Room 280, Brodie Centre
727 McDermot Avenue
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V6 Canada

FamilyCentre@umanitoba.ca
Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.