Social Prescribing

Senior Social Prescribing Link Worker: Kat Shonk

Social Prescribing Link Worker: Sarah Ebden, Lucy Miller and Sarah Jones

Social Prescribing Coordinator: Emma Ashby

It all starts with a conversation!

At its most basic, a social prescription offers the kind of help that doesn’t come in a tube or bottle (non medical). Instead, a 'social prescribing link worker' creates your own social prescription to provide you with support, help and information that will enable you to access services or activities that will improve your health, wellbeing and overall enjoyment in life.

All you have to do is tell them “What matters to me?”

What matters to me

Some of the areas we can support

• Housing related queries
• Welfare benefits & debt advice
• Help with daily living tasks
• Making lifestyle changes
• Combating isolation/loneliness
• Living with anxiety/depression
• Bereavement support
• Frequent attendance GP or A&E

Whether you just need help to find information and guidance: a little bit of inside knowledge on your situation or what local resources are available.

Someone to introduce you to a community group, a new activity or a local club.

Someone to help you start up as a gardening club, a fishing group, a ‘men’s shed’ or knit and natter group.

We are here to listen to you.

Referral Process

When social prescribing works well, people can be easily referred to link workers from a wide range of local agencies, including your

• GP Practice or other healthcare setting
• Police, Community Warden, Fire service,
• Local authority
• Social care services
• Housing providers
• Voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations

Self-referral is also encouraged!

“I thought I was just nothing. Now I feel really good. Every morning I wake up with a smile. I think I’ve got a bright future as well.”
AS – on her experience of social prescribing.

Social Prescribing

Social prescribing works in two key ways:

It aims to support patients access a broad range of services that positively affects health and wellbeing, prevents illness and enables patients to better manage existing conditions.

It enables patients to play an active role focusing on the wider social aspects that affect their own health and wellbeing and support them to stay healthy both physically and mentally.

For more information or to self refer please email us at social.prescriberpcn@nhs.net

Deal & Sandwich PCN have a Social Prescribing Facebook page. Please visit it at: www.facebook.com/Deal-Sandwich-PCN-Social-Prescribing-108273851137397

Things to do

• Join "Lets Get Physical "- 6 month activity programme
• Drop in at the Social Prescribing event 4th Friday of the month at Age Concern
• Sandwich Drop in to the Dementia cafes in Deal and Sandwich
• And lots more

Let's Get Physical

The “Let’s Get Physical” programme is a Social Prescribing pilot initiative being delivered by Deal & Sandwich PCN in partnership with Freedom Leisure and supported by Kent Sport.

What is it?

Do you want to get active?

Need a bit of advice or support to get started?

How about a 6 month reduced cost membership with support, where you will receive access to gym and classes, full orientation, customised fitness plans, inspirational coaching sessions, advanced bookings and discounted indoor sports hire ?

Our friendly team of Social Prescribing Link Workers and Leisure Centre staff will support and motivate patients to overcome barriers and help lead a healthier lifestyle.

A free initial trial session will also be provided, to ensure patients are fully appreciative of what is involved, prior to embarking on the programme. The patients will have the option to be met at the door to help reduce and relieve any possible anxiety, and will be supported emotionally before, during and after the session.

We aim to provide a unique environment where physical activity & peer support work together. Advice and information will be given to challenge barriers, so that daily activity forms part of a positive behaviour change and encourages ongoing health improvement through sport/activities/exercise.

As each patient is given the opportunity to say “What matters to me?” it is dependent on their interest/suitability as to which types of activities they decide to participate in.

This programme is limited and therefore priority will be given to the response and recovery of those patients who have been directly or indirectly affected by Covid-19 and include people with Long Term Health Conditions/Cancer/Obesity/Carers (12+ age)/Low Income or Unemployed/Socially Isolated/Frailty/Long Covid. However, consideration will be given to all patients on a case by case basis.

How to refer - Please complete a Deal & Sandwich PCN Social Prescribing referral form and send for triage to social.prescriberpcn@nhs.net or call (01304) 744075