Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) is pleased to announce that partner organisation We Are With You has been commissioned to continue to deliver and expand the Community Link Working service across Argyll and Bute.
This service initially launched in December 2021 and following a competitive tender process, We Are With You has been awarded the contract to continue to deliver this service for up to four years. We Are With You has been working in Argyll and Bute since 2015 and has a strong understanding of the rural geography and unique strengths and challenges within our communities.
Community Link Working recognises that social issues such as debt, relationships, employment, and loneliness, among others, can impact people's health and wellbeing. Community Link Workers support people experiencing these social and wider issues and connect people to sources of support or resources within their community. The service has been developed in line with the modernisation and expansion of services delivered in GP practices, resulting in multidisciplinary teams working together to support people holistically and improve outcomes for patients.
A recent review of the Community Link Working service found that the service had dealt with 975 referrals across Argyll and Bute, and of those providing feedback, 90% reported experiencing a positive change in their health and wellbeing. The most common referrals were related to mental health and well-being, feelings of loneliness and isolation, financial hardship and advice, and stress management. Community Link Workers effectively connected individuals to support services, offered self-management education, and enhanced access to appropriate advice and services.
The HSCP will work closely in partnership with We Are With You in the coming months to develop the Community Link Worker (CLW) services. Our objective is to ensure that appropriate support and services are accessible to individuals living in Argyll and Bute rural communities and Islands. The HSCP would like to thank Macmillan Cancer Support for providing additional funding for this service, which will enable additional Community Link Workers to focus on our more remote and rural communities.
Alison McGrory, Associate Director of Public Health for Argyll and Bute HSCP said: “I am delighted that Community Link Working is expanding to more areas of Argyll and Bute this year. The feedback from people who have used this service since 2021 has been amazing. We have heard how link workers provide kind, caring and compassionate support to help people feel better and more positive for the future. I am also very grateful to colleagues at Macmillan who see the value in holistic and person-centred services across our remote and rural communities.”
Community Link Workers are available in most areas to help individuals connect with support, services and resources within their community. This service can be accessed through self-referral, and referrals from selected GP practices across Argyll and Bute.
Sovay Fitzpatrick, Head of Services for We Are With You said: “WithYou are delighted to continue providing the Community Link Worker service in Argyll and Bute. We have a talented and committed team who are making a big impact on the health and wellbeing of the people they see through GP Practices. We are excited to expand the service and recruit new staff to provide the service to individuals in some of the most remote and island communities in Argyll and Bute.”
See more information about the Link Worker service, contact participating GP practices to find out more, or:
email argyllbutelinks@wearewithyou.org.uk
WithYou is a charity providing free, confidential support to people facing challenges with alcohol, drugs, health and wellbeing. WithYou supported more than 15,000 people in Scotland in 2023 through Community Link Worker services, support services for people using drugs and alcohol and virtual services including webchat, Know the Score and Drinkline.