Social prescribing

What is social prescribing?

Social issues like loneliness, isolation, money worries, problems with housing, employment or caring responsibilities can impact negatively on our health and wellbeing.

Social prescribing is about finding out what matters to you. It is about helping you to find the right support when you need it, connecting you with activities, groups and services in your local community that can help address some of the challenges and issues that you may be struggling with.

A recent international study carried out by researchers in Canada in which Scotland participated has developed an internationally accepted definition of social prescribing:

What types of social prescribing exist?

Broad

Social prescribing can be as simple as being made aware of support that exists which can be accessed for an issue someone is facing. For example:

Broad social prescribing can be where a conversation identifies the need for non-medical support and an individual is told about support services or where an individual recognises, they need help and is able to access it for themselves.

Medium

The next type of social prescribing that someone may access is a service or programme to address a specific issue or need. For example:

Medium social prescribing can be where a health professional or a support worker recognises an individual needs support and actively directs them or signposts them to services or an organisation that could help. For example, a referral to an exercise programme where there is a single issue and support is targeted primarily to that issue. This may also involve additional signposting if appropriate but is not part of the planned intervention.

Specific

And lastly, there is a type of social prescribing that involves a link worker such as a Community Link Worker who collaborates with individuals to access local sources of support. For example:

Specific social prescribing involves a referral to a dedicated link worker who will work with individuals to identify what is important to them, co-produce a social prescription and support them to access the right non-medical services or community support. The link worker will also help remove barriers to accessing services or support and is likely to work with an individual over an extended period of time.

The Community Link Worker service

A Community Link Worker is a member of the wider GP practice team that can provide support and advice on many social issues that may be affecting your health and wellbeing. They have a wide range of knowledge on local services and community-based groups and activities.

Community Link Workers can help you find the right support and provide you with information on a wide range of social issues that can impact on health and wellbeing, this might include:

• housing issues
• employment and learning
• support groups
• money worries
• physical activity
• long-term conditions
• caring for relatives and friends
• improving emotional wellbeing
• social isolation