One critical project we are delivering for the community is a Social Prescribing service. This free service for residents supports you in accessing a range of local services, organisations and activities. This is to help improve your overall health and wellbeing.
If you are feeling isolated, struggling to get out and about, need practical support or want to focus on your mental wellbeing, we can help.
What is Social Prescribing?
Social Prescribing, sometimes called a community referral, enables GPs, nurses and other primary care professionals to refer people to a range of local, non-clinical services.
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 holistically. It also aims to support individuals to take greater control of their health.
Social prescribing schemes can involve various activities typically provided by voluntary and community sector organisations. Examples include volunteering, art activities, group learning, gardening, befriending, cooking, healthy eating advice and various sports.
“It was difficult to know what to expect, but the service has exceeded our expectations as to the impact it can have on a patient’s health and wellbeing.”
Salford GP
What are the benefits?
There are many benefits of social prescribing, including:
- Support at the right time
- Space to consider options and be listened to
- Increased feeling of connectivity with their community
- Increased confidence
- Improved mental health
- Increased physical activity levels
- Reduced feelings of loneliness and isolation
- Improved health and wellbeing
- Improved levels of self-management of long-term conditions and increased resilience.
“Referring patients to a community connector takes the pressure off the GP to try and solve the patients social issues or guide them as to how to do that, allowing us to focus on the purely medical issues, which is where of course our expertise lies.”
Salford GP
How to access support
You can be referred by your GP, nurse or health visitor. Ask about Social Prescribing during your next appointment or contact your GP practice to find out more.
Photo by Hush Naidoo Jade Photography on Unsplash
