Social Prescribing
Care that supports your whole life — not just your medical needs.
What is Social Prescribing?
Social prescribing is a way for health care providers and community workers to help connect you with local programs and services that support your overall well-being. This means you will receive care that’s not just for your medical needs.
This could look like:
- Food and meal programs
- Fitness or art classes
- Peer support or caregiver support groups
- Help with housing or finances
- Cultural or language events
- Opportunities to be creative, move your body, or meet new people
Why Social Prescribing?
Achieving health and well-being isn’t just about a doctor’s visit. Your well-being is also shaped by feeling supported, connected, and stable.
You might be:
- Feeling lonely or isolated
- Stressed about money or housing
- Looking for something meaningful to do
- Struggling to access food or support
That’s where social prescribing comes in. Social prescribing collaborates with you to help find balance, so that you can live fully in all dimensions of your life.
How does Social Prescribing work?
The Social Prescribing Pathway
1. Enter
Get Referred
Get referred by a doctor, health worker, community organization—or refer yourself—to Burnaby Social RX.
This service is free and open to anyone needing extra support in life.
Ready to get support from Burnaby Social Rx? You’ll find the referral links either on the side or below, depending on your device.
2. Connect
Get Connected with a Health Care Navigator
Through Burnaby Social Rx, you will be matched with a Health Care Navigator. The Health Care Navigator will:
- Listen to your story
- Learn about what matters to you
- Help make a plan based on your needs, goals, and interests
Together, you will co-create a personalized plan.
3. Participate
Choose Your Next Steps
Based on your goals, the Health Care Navigator may connect you with:
- Programs and classes
- Community groups or services
- A volunteer (called a Community Connector) who can speak your language if needed
4. Follow Up
Ongoing Support
Your Navigator will:
- Check in regularly with you
- Help you adjust your plan if things aren’t working
- Keep your care team in the loop
5. Learn
Stay connected or share back
Stay connected to your supports and share your feedback to help shape and grow the Social Rx program.
Refer Yourself
Anyone can make a referral. If you or someone you know needs support, you can refer yourself directly.
Refer a Patient or Client
Health care providers and staff from community or social service agencies can refer their patients or clients to Burnaby Social Rx.
Learn More
Learn how Burnaby Social Rx can support patients and clients from a provider’s perspective.
Funded by Shared Care
Produced as part of the Burnaby Division of Family Practice project, “Sharing Care Collaborative: Developing Pathways Between Health and Social Programs”
Created in June 2025
