Financially Assisted Social Prescribing (FASP) Program in Hamilton, Ontario

Since 2023, the Canadian Red Cross has been collaborating with the Greater Hamilton Health Network to develop the Financially Assisted Social Prescribing (FASP) project available in Municipal wards 2, 3, and 4 in Hamilton, Ontario. FASP launched August 2024 and will conclude in March 2028.

Project Resources:

FASP One-Pager (EN/FR)

FASP Quarterly Update - March 2025

FASP Quarterly Update - December 2024

FASP 2024: A Year-in-Review 

FASP Annual Report 2023

FASP Community Engagement Report 2023
 

What is Social Prescribing?  

Social prescribing brings community, social services and healthcare sectors together to support the diverse needs of patients and their goals for well-being. It is a person-centered approach that focuses on developing a comprehensive care plan that aims to address the unfortunate healthcare disparities that these patients face as individuals. When appropriate, patients are connected to community resources and organizations that support in referring non-clinical supports to individuals.

Non-clinical supports can include transportation, volunteering, and participation in arts and/or cultural activities, etc.. At times, access to these non-clinical supports, and others like them, can reduce social isolation, and lead to longer, healthier lives.

Additionally, social prescribing addresses the social determinants of health. These non-medical factors affect health and well-being and can include socioeconomic status, family relationships, housing, and social inclusion.

Learn more at the Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing
 

What Financial Assistance is available?

The work of FASP, will supplement access to existing community based non-clinical supports through the creation of a Community Health Fund, and also through the delivery of a Canadian Red Cross Direct-to-Individual Support Service. Over $3M will be given to community members living in Municipal wards 2, 3 and 4 before 2028 in Hamilton, Ontario. At this time, only members of the Collective are eligible to receive the Community Health Fund, and the Direct-to-Individual Support Service will launch in Fall 2025.

Canadian Red Cross volunteers are currently underway in the development of two community asset maps, one for social prescribing services, and the other for financial assistance services. These asset maps will be shared publicly as service inventories and will continue to be maintained by volunteers until project end.
 

FASP Social Prescribing Service Coordination Community Collective, aka ‘The Collective’

The Collective is comprised of health, community and social service organizations providing support services and programs to those living in Municipal wards 2, 3, and 4 in Hamilton, Ontario. The Collective serves as a network for healthcare professionals to connect to community directly to build connections, share expert knowledge and increase trust and resiliency. By joining the Collective, organizations have access to a collaborative network of social prescribing services and referrals they can use to support those whom they serve.

Those interested in joining the FASP Collective can apply by submitting a FASP Collective Application.
 

Collective Members, as of March 2025:

541 Eatery and Exchange

Afro-Canadian Caribbean Association (ACCA)

Alzheimer Society BHNHH

Art Gallery of Hamilton

Cancer Assistance Program

COMPASS Community Health Clinic

De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre

Canadian Red Cross Friendly Calls Program

Good Shepherd

Greater Hamilton Health Network Primary Care Network

Hamilton Burlington SPCA

Hamilton Health Sciences

Hamilton Sings! Community Choir

Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre

Hamilton-Wentworth Green Venture

Head Injury Rehabilitation Ontario

Helping Hands Street Mission

IndWell

Luso Support Centre of Hamilton

Mishka Social Services

Mission Services of Hamilton

Ontario Caregiver Organization

Shalem Mental Health Network

St Joseph's Health Care Hamilton and The Research Institute of St Joe's Hamilton

St Matthews House

Thrive Group Ableliving Services/Capability Support Services

Wesley Non-Profit

YMCA HBB

YWCA Hamilton


Join us and get involved in the Financially Assisted Social Prescribing Project

Organizations interested in joining the FASP Collective can apply by submitting a FASP Collective Application.

If you’re interested in joining as a volunteer, advisory committee member, or a working group member, you can apply by submitting a FASP Member Application

If you would like to receive updates about FASP, subscribe to the FASP mailing list

For more information

Mirela Marceta, PMP (she/her)
Project Manager, Social Prescribing
Mirela.Marceta@redcross.ca