The Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing (anchored by the Canadian Red Cross) is leading the ASPIRE – Advancing Social Prescribing Implementation, Research and Evaluation project across Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), ASPIRE focuses on strengthening evaluation capacity and developing a common framework to demonstrate the impact of social prescribing.
ASPIRE partners include the Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario, United Way British Columbia, and Healthy Aging Alberta. As part of this multi-province collaborative, OACAO is building on the knowledge and expertise of its implementation partners in the Links2Wellbeing Social Prescribing project.
Through collaboration with partners across community, academic and healthcare sectors, this two-year project will generate evidence, tools, and learning to support scaling across diverse communities while building a stronger understanding of impact at both local and national levels on older adults who experience intersecting barriers to well-being and accessing community support.
ASPIRE (2025-27) builds upon previous work (Phase 1: 2022-24) of establishing a common understanding of social prescribing in Canada, strengthening partnerships across healthcare and community sectors, and laying the foundations for a growing movement focused on improving health and wellbeing through community connection.
Learn More
- Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing – Phase 1 (2022-24) Report: Advancing Holistic Community Health: Co-creating a Foundation for Social Prescribing in Canada (May 2024)
Comments from ASPIRE Partners
“The OACAO values ASPIRE’s collaborative approach and commitment to shared learning, knowledge mobilization, and evidence-informed practice. Working alongside partners across Canada, we look forward to advancing social prescribing and improving outcomes for older adults in communities nationwide.”
– Sue Hesjedahl, Executive Director, OACAO
“This work demonstrates what is possible when community organizations, health care partners, researchers, and older adults come together around a shared vision. Through collaboration, we can create stronger, more inclusive communities, where everyone has the opportunity to age with dignity, purpose, and belonging.”
– Bobbi Symes, Director, Healthy Aging, United Way BC
“Healthy Aging Alberta is excited to partner with the Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing in this next phase of work to advance social prescribing infrastructure and build partnerships that will improve well-being and support older adults across Alberta and Canada.”
– Mariam Elghahuagi, Director, Healthy Aging Alberta
“What makes this project worth studying is that the health and community sectors are working from the same approach across three provinces. That kind of coordination is hard to pull off, and getting it right is how social prescribing moves from a promising idea to something Canada can rely on.”
– Dr. Kiffer G. Card, Lead Researcher, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University
News Release
- Public Health Agency of Canada News Release – Minister Thompson announces investments of more than $4.8 million to prevent chronic disease and improve health (June 24, 2026)
