Social Prescribing and how it could help you

GPs and other health care professionals, with the support of a link worker, can refer you to a range of non-clinical services to help you to explore ways to improve your overall sense of health and wellbeing and make positive lifestyle changes – this is known as Social Prescribing.

A Social Prescriber (also known as a link worker) can give you time to focus on what matters to you. They can connect you to groups, activities and services in your community enabling you to meet your practical, social, and emotional needs.

The approach of social prescribing works well for people of all ages who:

• have one or more long term conditions
• need support with low level mental health issues
• are lonely or isolated
• have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.

Social prescribing enables community and healthcare professionals to refer you to a Social Prescriber who can support with some of the topics below:

• Housing, benefits, and financial advice
• Employment, training, and volunteering
• Healthy lifestyle advice and physical activity
• Arts, gardening, and other creative activities
• Befriending and counselling groups

People who work in social prescribing support existing community groups to be accessible and sustainable and help start new groups, collaborating with all local partners.

If you’re facing challenges in your day to day life which are affecting your health and wellbeing speak to your GP practice who can refer you to a Social Prescriber.

Social prescribing has shown to reduce pressure on NHS services, with reductions in GP consultations, A&E attendances and hospital bed stays for people who have received social prescribing support.