Social prescribing can help you with things that can’t be fixed by doctors and medicine alone. It involves introducing you to a range of non-clinical services within your community. This may involve encouraging you to join a local group, a new activity or a social club.

We can also help put you in contact with organizations that can help you with legal advice, financial support, and information regarding help around your home. The aim of social prescribing is to focus on what is best for each individual patient and what you feel your own personal needs are.

Social Prescribing is a new free service available to adults (18+) who are ready to make a change in their lives to improve their health and wellbeing. If you are feeling isolated, lonely, or if life has become too stressful or overwhelming, social prescribing may help you to make that change and have a more rewarding lifestyle.

Services Available May Include:

• Healthy lifestyles and activities
•  Arts, music, outdoors and creative
• Befriending, counselling, support
• Housing benefits, financial advice
• Employment, training and volunteering
• Education and learning
• Access to specialist services

Who is Social Prescribing for?

• Anyone over the age of 18
• If you have a Long-Term health condition
• If you have had a recent bereavement
• If you feel stressed or anxious
• If your lifestyle or social circumstances are affecting your mood
• If you feel isolated or lonely
• If you want to make positive changes to your life
• If you are open to engaging in social activities

How does it work?

If your social circumstances are affecting your wellbeing you can discuss with your GP whether a referral to the Social Prescribing Service will benefit you.  A Social Prescribing Link Worker will then make contact with you to talk to you, find out what matters to you and help to make plans with you to achieve changes for your wellbeing. The link worker can arrange an appointment at a time and place convenient to you (although no visits are taking place at present).

What is a Social Prescribing Link Worker?

A Social Prescribing Link Worker will spend time with you, building a trusting relationship, listening carefully to what matters to you and what motivates you. They will then support you to access activities and services within your community, enabling you to improve your health and wellbeing and helping you to stay well. This may also include helping you manage issues such as debt, housing and mobility.

A Social Prescriber is:

• Confidential, practical, helpful, non-judgmental
• Someone who can help you to decide what you’d like to do to improve your health and wellbeing by finding you activities that will suit you
• Someone to support you on your way