Social prescribing, sometimes called a community referral, is a means of enabling GPs, nurses and other primary care professionals to refer people to a range of local, non-clinical services.
Recognising that people’s health is determined primarily by a range of social, economic and environmental factors, social prescribing seeks to address people’s needs in a holistic way. It also aims to support individuals to take greater control of their own health.
Social prescribing schemes can involve a variety of activities which are typically provided by voluntary and community sector organisations. Examples include volunteering, arts activities, group learning, gardening, befriending, cookery, healthy eating advice and a range of sports.
Our Social Prescribing approach is connecting patients to the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector to support wellbeing. Wellbeing Matters provides social prescribing support through a Community Connector to enable people to access non-medical wellbeing support within their neighbourhood by connecting them into local activity and provision tailored to them
Referrals can be made for anybody who presents with a non-medical need, social issue or who would benefit from a more holistic approach in terms of improving their health and wellbeing. Social Prescribing is designed to complement traditional medical approaches and therapies. Examples could include Loneliness/social isolation, Anxiety / depression, one or more long term condition and Housing
If you feel that you would benefit from a referral to our social prescribing please complete our Referral Request form.