Social Prescribing Service

What is Social Prescribing?

As part of a nationwide NHS plan to give more personalised holistic care to patients, this is where social prescribing comes in.

Sometimes referred to as community referral, social prescribing seeks to address people’s needs in a holistic way, within a local community. It is about connecting people to sources of help and support.

Social prescribing encourages people to be better informed, to understand more about their health and enables them to be more proactive in shaping their own personal wellbeing.

Examples of things which may impact people’s health:

• Lifestyle – including diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol and sleep
• Family and wider social support
• Education and skills
• Volunteering
• Housing
• Money worries – including debt, benefits and employment
• Bereavement
• Loneliness and isolation
• Mental health and wellbeing – including low self-esteem, confidence, anxiety, depression and stress
• Covid-19 support

Social prescribing can help you by:

• Providing information on services that can help you
• Referring you to those services
• Introducing you to community groups, activities or options for volunteering
• Assisting you to set goals that will empower you to make lifestyle changes and achieve the outcome you’re looking for.

How can I access the Social Prescribing Service?

You must be over the age of 18.

Contact the Hub directly on 02380 170 610

Your GP may refer you to have a consultation with one of our Social Prescribers if they feel you’d benefit from the support they are able to offer.

Or you can self-refer by calling your surgery or booking an appointment online in the same way you usually would do to see your GP or Nurse.