Social Prescribing Community Link Workers

Our practice has arranged for regular social prescribing service for our patients, provided by colleagues from Wellspring Settlement.

Social prescribing, sometimes referred to as community referral, is a means of enabling GPs, nurses and other primary care professionals to refer people to a range of local, non-clinical services. Patients can also easily self-refer to the service.

Recognising that people’s health is determined primarily by a range of social, economic and environmental factors, social prescribing seeks to address people’s needs in a holistic way. It also aims to support individuals to take greater control of their own health.

Social prescribing schemes can involve a variety of activities which are typically provided by voluntary and community sector organisations. Examples include volunteering, arts activities, group learning, gardening, befriending, cookery, healthy eating advice and a range of sports.

There are many different models for social prescribing, but most involve a link worker or navigator who works with people to access local sources of support. Social prescribing is designed to support people with a wide range of social, emotional or practical needs, and many schemes are focussed on improving mental health and physical well-being. Those who could benefit from social prescribing schemes include people with mild or long-term mental health problems, vulnerable groups, people who are socially isolated, and those who frequently attend either primary or secondary health care.

For more information you may like to watch this short video.

If you would like to talk to one of our Social Prescribers you can call Karen Pratt on 07308 475912. Our Social Prescribers will usually see patients at the practice but if necessary a home visit or meeting in a community setting may be arranged. We have access to a number of social prescribers with different experience – the service can provide support for patients who do not have English as their first language and can also provide sessions with male or female community link workers.

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