Social Prescribing
Social prescribing is a service designed to support people with a wide range of social, emotional or practical needs with the focus on improving mental health and physical well-being.
Social Prescribing Link Workers (SPLWs) provide time to talk and explore what matters to a person.
They link people to a wide range of non-clinical activities which are typically provided by voluntary and community sector organisations. SPLWs work with local partners to support community groups to be accessible, sustainable and where appropriate help people start new groups.
Who might benefit from social prescribing?
Social prescribing works for a wide range of patients, including persons:
- with one or more long-term conditions
- who need support with low-level mental health problems
- who are lonely or isolated
- who have complex social needs which affect their well-being
- who are carers
- who are frequently attending either primary or secondary health care.
This service is currently only for people over 18. It is not an emergency or urgent care service.
How to make an appointment with our Social Prescribing Link Worker
Please contact us via an eConsult or by contacting our reception team who will be able to arrange a referral.
Social Care Direct
If you, or someone you know, is having difficulty caring for themselves then the social work team can help.
They can provide urgent assistance for example in situations when someone has developed an illness and can no longer care fully for themselves so require short term assistance, or can help plan and assess for longer term needs for example those with chronic health conditions.
Financial support
We know that many people are suffering financial hardship. We know the impact this can have on people’s mental and physical health.
A number of organisation are able to help:
- The NHS website has some general advice: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/money-work-and-benefits/
- Citizens Advice can help with benefits, debt and other financial concerns, legal and housing advice: https://www.citizensadvicecd.org.uk/contact/consett/
- The NHS website has advice for people with a gambling concern: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/gambling-addiction/