Social Prescribing

Senior Social Prescribing Link Worker: Kat Shonk

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

Social Prescribing Care Coordinator: Emma Ashby

Video: What is Social Prescribing?

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 and 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

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.