Social prescribing is about understanding “what matters to you” and connecting people to communities’ activities.
Social prescribing is a way for local agencies to refer people to a link worker. Link workers give people time, focusing on ‘what matters to me’ and taking a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing. They connect people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.
Social prescribing works for a wide range of people, including people:
- with one or more long-term conditions
- who need support with their mental health
- who are lonely or isolated
- who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.
More information and resources can be found by visiting the NHS Social Prescribing page here NHS England — North East and Yorkshire » Social Prescribing Link Worker
Social Prescribing Link workers (SPLW) support existing community groups to be accessible and sustainable, and help people to start new groups, working collaboratively with all local partners. Social prescribing complements other approaches, such as active signposting. This is a ‘light touch’ approach where existing staff in local agencies provide information to signpost people to services, using local knowledge and resource directories. Active signposting works best for people who are confident and skilled enough to find their own way to services after a brief intervention.
Quotes from social prescribing link workers
“the role of a social prescriber is varied, can be stressful but always rewarding. I help to address health inequalities experienced by people in the communities I work within when medicine alone is not enough, or the answer.”
Live Well Wakefield
“social prescribing link workers offer person-centred support, tailored to unique circumstances, enabling individuals to improve their situation.”
“When a truly holistic model of social prescribing can offer in-house supportd self-management options, for clients living with long-term health conditions, the possibilities are endless. Offering tools and techniques to enable clients to improve their health and wellbeing can help them reach their personal goals. By empowering clients to manage the impact of their health condition, we can also help families to stay well”.
Live Well Wakefield
For more information on social prescribing, visit here: Supporting Link Workers - National Academy for Social Prescribing | NASP (socialprescribingacademy.org.uk)
Local social prescribing services
Bradford - Hale - Social Prescribing – HALE (haleproject.org.uk)
Kirklees - Personalised care | Kirklees Council
Leeds - Linking Leeds - Linking Leeds - Social prescribing for practical or emotional problems
Wakefield - Live Well Wakefield - Live Well Wakefield