Social prescribing in the UK
The Social Prescribing Network, UK
https://www.socialprescribingnetwork.com/
WHAT IS SOCIAL PRESCRIBING? Social Prescribing is a means of enabling GPs and other frontline healthcare professionals to refer patients to a link worker - to provide them with a face to face conversation during which they can learn about the possibilities and design their own personalized solutions, i.e. ‘co-produce’ their ‘social prescription’- so that people with social, emotional or practical needs are empowered to find solutions which will improve their health and wellbeing, often using services provided by the voluntary and community sector. It is an innovative and growing movement, with the potential to reduce the financial burden on the NHS and particularly on primary care. The Social Prescribing Network consists of health professionals, researchers, academics, social prescribing practitioners, representatives from the community and voluntary sector, commissioners and funders, patients and citizens. We are working together to share knowledge and best practice, to support social prescribing at a local and national levels and to inform good quality research and evaluation. Over the past year, we have worked with many different organizations to launch International Social Prescribing Day and The Social Prescribing Network Awards.
On-line Link Worker Training Courses, Bromley by Bow Center, London, UK
Link Worker Training Courses - Bromley by Bow Centre (bbbc.org.uk)
Training in social prescribing - These training courses are designed for link workers and people in working various disciplines to understand the fundamentals of social prescribing, whether you have experience or not. You can book as an individual or benefit from group discounts. Most of the courses are currently delivered online, but this is subject to change. Please see the individual course for more detail. Social Prescribing at the Bromley by Bow Centre - Over the past decade the Bromley by Bow Centre has worked extensively to support the development and growth of social prescribing nationally and internationally. The Bromley by Bow Social Prescribing scheme consists of a general practice based social prescribing scheme serving, since 2012, a primary care network (PCN) of six GP practices with 53,000 registered patients. We are also founding members of the National Social Prescribing Network and are Social Prescribing Regional Facilitators for London for NHS England.
Social Prescribing, National Health Service (NHS)
https://www.england.nhs.uk/personalisedcare/social-prescribing/
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. Link workers also support existing community groups to be accessible and sustainable, and help people to start new groups, working collaboratively with all local partners. 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
National Academy for Social Prescribing, UK
Home | National Academy for Social Prescribing (socialprescribingacademy.org.uk)
Dedicated to the advancement of social prescribing through promotion, collaboration and innovation - We work to create partnerships, across the arts, health, sports, leisure, and the natural environment, alongside other aspects of our lives, to promote health and wellbeing at a national and local level. We will champion social prescribing and the work of local communities in connecting people for wellbeing.
This course is ideal for Link Workers who are starting in their role and is also appropriate for those wanting to refresh their learning. It consists of five modules and includes interactive delivery and pre-recorded tutorials. Learning outcomes include: Understanding the definition of social prescribing, its history and its context within the NHS and beyond Being able to develop personalised care support plans effectively through a “what matters to me” conversation Understanding how to manage caseloads effectively Understanding how maintain accurate records and the importance of measuring the impact on individuals and the health system Knowing how to co-produce and co-design a social prescribing offer with your local community Feeling confident in your role, with a peer group of Link Workers.
7 steps to wellbeing through volunteering: How to link to social prescribing
What is this guide and who is it for? We’ve created this guide to help volunteer-involving organizations support people who may come to volunteering as part of a social prescribing journey. The advice and steps in this guide have been developed with practitioners from across the social prescribing movement, including local and national charities, volunteer centres and councils for voluntary services (CVS), link workers, volunteer managers, and volunteers. The guide focuses on the aspects of volunteering that may require new ways of thinking and approaches on the part of the volunteer-involving organizations, to ensure someone’s health and wellbeing are supported and nurtured as part of a social prescribing journey. There’s already a lot of great guidance on volunteering good practice, so this guide focuses mainly on what we think organizations need to know about what’s different in social prescribing. The advice and principles are designed around the individual participant and their journey.
Making Sense of Social Prescribing, BASW - The British Association of Social Worker
Social prescribing shares the values that underpin the wider Personalisation movement in health and social care that have paved the way for social prescribing as we see it today.
Many people in the UK are in situations that have a detrimental effect on their health. The Marmot Review provided comprehensive analysis on the causes and consequences of health inequalities in England. Factors contributing to health inequalities can include financial, educational, poor housing, low self-esteem, isolation, relationship difficulties, and physical and mental health problems. There are also more people who are living longer and struggling to cope and adapt to living with Long Term Conditions which can’t be addressed by a clinical consultation.
Almost without exception, people want to improve their situation, particularly those with complex needs. These changes can seem impossible to navigate or achieve without sustained support and the motivation needed to make a positive change. Without support, negative consequences can build up, such as depression, anxiety and social isolation.
A GP can quickly work out that the traditional options might have only a limited impact if, for example, poor housing is a factor in a persons emotions; finance and employment concerns also have an adverse impact. It has been estimated that around 20% of patients consult their GP for what is primarily a social problem. In fact the Low Commission reported that 15% of GP visits were for social welfare advice.
As well as facilitating the use of non-clinical support for people, it also leads to NHS health care professionals developing wider relationships with their communities and the third sector, and vice-versa.
Social prescribing is an opportunity to implement a sustained structural change to how a person moves between professional sectors and into their community. To fully address the social determinants of health, social prescribing schemes view a person not as a ‘condition’ or disability, but quite simply as a person.