Social prescribing helps you explore extra services that may support you to improve your health and sense of wellness.
HOW DOES IT WORK
You have been given a referral by a member of your GP Practice Healthcare team (GP, Nurse, other health professional or another member of the Practice staff).
The Social Prescriber will contact you by telephone to discuss the referral with you.
This will usually be between 5 and 7 working days. They may invite you to come and see them at the GP practice or arrange to meet you elsewhere.
The Social Prescriber is:
- Someone to talk to confidentially
- Someone who is practical and helpful and who will not judge you
- Someone who can help you decide what you’d like to do to feel healthier
- Someone who can find you activities that will suit you and, if you want, who can go along with you to them to start with so that you don’t have to go on your own
- Someone who can advise you on how to arrange appointments with medical services at times that suit you
- Someone who can give you support along the way
Together you will be able to:
- Explore what is important for your life and wellbeing
- Identify the local activities and services you can benefit from
- Gain support and encouragement to start using services that can help you
Social prescribing can link you with many services in your community to help. These may include:
- Healthy lifestyles and active lives
- Arts, music, outdoors and creativity
- Befriending, counselling and other support groups
- Housing, benefits and financial support and advice
- Employment, training and volunteering
- Education and learning
- Getting involved in local groups and activities
- Accessing specialist services and support
You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time from the social prescribing service (the Social Prescribers will not contact you again unless consent is regained and no further information will be shared with other NHS, local authority, community or voluntary sector organisations) and this can be done via your practice reception team.
“”Social Prescription for Better Health and Happiness”
