Social Prescribing in Richmond connects patients to meaningful community resources that improve their health, well-being, and social connections. Through Richmond’s PCN Community Link program, family doctors can link patients to tailored services, whether it’s volunteer opportunities, fresh food delivery, or support navigating essential systems, helping them thrive
How the Program Transforms Lives
Sometimes, it’s a few new walking buddies, delivery of fresh veggies, a volunteer opportunity, or someone to help with taxes that turns a life around.
Richmond’s PCN Community Link Worker connects your patients to special services throughout our community, and it’s having a profound impact on their ability to thrive. Patients are reporting improved physical and emotional well-being, social connections, and ease of navigating essential systems. This program, sometimes known as social prescribing, has received more than 200 referrals since the program started in October 2022.
In the year they have been working together, Community Link Worker Sean Canasa has formed a strong bond with Anthony Yip. Read Anthony’s story.
“I invite doctors to send more patients to Sean because he is so kind, and because so many people need this kind of support,” says Yip. “Without him, many people wouldn’t know how to find out these things.”
Through the Community Link Worker, the Richmond Division and Richmond Primary Care Networks have had the opportunity to develop strong relationships with key community partners throughout Richmond.
PCN Community Link Highlights from 2023–24:
- Beyond providing direct client care, the program has become a respected platform for collaboration, outreach, advocacy, and engagement with other many community organizations throughout Richmond.
- 100+ client outreach appointments have been completed in the community, many of them with life-changing results.
- The program is scheduled to deliver several community workshops about the PCN, accessing care, finding a family doctor, and accessing community exercise programs. Workshops are booked with SUCCESS Richmond, the South Arm Community Centre Seniors Program, and the Richmond Community Respiratory Program.
Richmond’s Social Prescribing program demonstrates how connecting patients to community resources can transform lives. By partnering with the PCN Community Link Worker, family doctors can enhance patient care, improve outcomes, and foster stronger community ties.
Learn more about Richmond Primary Care Networks.
