A new naturopathic clinic at UGM New Westminster is welcoming community members into accessible health support
One of our priorities at Union Gospel Mission is to provide a continuum of care — to meet people’s immediate needs, but to also welcome them into a longer journey of healing. Whether people need access to the library or an excursion to the mountains for their well-being, we see these supports as essential to honouring and encouraging the people we serve.
For over a year, Dr. Heidi Standeven, ND has been an exciting part of this care. She is the founder of Foundations Naturopathic Health in New Westminster, and generously gives of her time to support patients at UGM who wouldn’t be able to access a traditional clinic. When approached by Edith, Manager of UGM New Westminster, with the idea of working together, Dr. Heidi proposed naturopathic medicine as a way to help the community experiencing homelessness, poverty, or addiction with their physical pain and overall health.
Since November 2023, Dr. Heidi’s clinic hours every other Wednesday are always fully booked. Her patients range from 30 to 70 years old, and see her for a range of issues like pain, anxiety, and indigestion.
“Acupuncture is the most popular treatment for pain management,” says Dr. Heidi, “and I also have administered B12 injections that help patients with digestive issues and with general health support.”
Dr. Heidi’s services include supports like:
- Checkups: Physical exams and women’s health exams
- Acupuncture: For pain, including arthritis, back or neck pain, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and sleep issues
- Cupping: For muscle tightness and pain, removing toxins from the body, and reducing headaches
- Primary Care Support: Consultations, most prescription renewals (excluding pain medication like opioids), vitamin B12 & vitamin B complex injections, urinary infection screening, pregnancy tests, and ear lavage
“So far, my patients have said they notice an improvement after treatments,” says Dr. Heidi. The acupuncture makes them feel relief, and sometimes people say thank you for just listening to their story. Many people have never had a health practitioner sit down with them and explain things to them while listening. That can be therapeutic in itself.”
UGM community member Dwight went to Dr. Heidi’s clinic at UGM New Westminster in May with a locked arm. He said it felt frozen and he felt muscle spasms all the time.
“A few days after getting acupuncture from Dr. Heidi, suddenly my arm unlocked and I was able to get back my range of motion,” he says. “I’ve been seeing Dr. Heidi regularly ever since.”
Dr. Heidi keeps her services at UGM free, to lower barriers to healthcare for the community who might not feel comfortable going into a formal medical clinic. Dwight said that’s a huge benefit for him.
“I’m currently living on disability assistance, but that’s not enough for me each month,” said Dwight. “Having this free service allows me to be able to afford necessities like rent, food, transportation, etc. I wish more health providers would do this for people living in New Westminster.”
Dr. Heidi said she will continue serving the community through this clinic for as long as she can. “I believe this is important for me to do because positive community health means health for everyone in our community.”
Read more about how poverty is affecting people in our communities, and how we can all be lowering barriers to belonging and care. If you have a skill or accreditation that could benefit people experiencing poverty, homelessness, and addiction, we would love to hear from you and see if there is a way that you could volunteer. Please email us at volunteers@ugm.ca.
