Social Prescribing Link Workers
Leading Healthier Lives
Social Prescribing Link Workers
Social Prescribing Link Workers (SPLWs) offer you time to talk about all non-medical concerns that matters to you and impacts your mental and physical wellbeing.
We will work with you to identify what changes you wish to make to improve your wellbeing and will provide you with links into the local community sector to help you manage any concerns and issues. Where possible, we will aim to empower you to make positive and sustainable changes.
Length of Intervention
SPLWs can work with you for up to 6 months depending on the issues raised.
Initial appointments are up to 40 minutes and any further appointments are approximately 30 minutes. All appointments can be held in person at your GP practice or by phone.
During our time together we will work with you to provide links to community-based services relevant to your issues and empower you to make positive changes, constantly reviewing your goals that we identified together during your initial appointments.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible for the service if you fall within the criteria below and wish to make changes:
- You are 18 years+
- You are experiencing social difficulties that are affecting your mental and physical wellbeing
- You frequently attend either primary or secondary health care for non-medical issues as you do not know who to turn to
- You feel lonely or isolated
- You require links for support with stress, anxiety, or low mood
- You are a carer with no support for yourself
How do I get referred?
To be referred, please speak to any clinician at your GP practice who will happily discuss and complete a referral for you. You can also be referred by talking to your GP practice reception if you fit within the eligibility criteria.
After we receive the referral one of our team will phone to talk to you. We are not a crisis service, but we will call as quickly as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
One of the Social Prescribing team will call you once after referral has taken place, to discuss how we can support you and advise you when an appointment will be made.
We ae based in your GP practice and appointments will take place in person at the practice or by telephone, according to what suits you best.
No. Your Social Prescriber will provide you with various links to support services for you to choose what fits you best. You are in charge of deciding whether you want to connect with these services. We aim not to overwhelm you, so taking small steps might be best.
It may be that this is not the right time for you to make changes if your life. You may need to decide if you are ready to continue with this service. You can talk to your Social Prescriber and come to an agreement about the next steps that are right for you.
Please try to let your GP practice know if you are unable to make an appointment, sometimes life gets in the way. We will then be able to reschedule your appointment to another time that suits you better.
If you miss three appointments and we receive no communication, we will send you an opt-in letter or text so you can let us know if you feel you need our support.
What is the difference between this service and SPRING Social Prescribing?
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Case Study
Story
A 60-year-old patient, who lives with his fiance, has been diagnosed with Multiple Siriasis (MS). He was experiencing a low mood, stress and anxiety which led him to put on weight and put a toll on his chronic pain. He also had to move his business online, which was causing him financial worries.
Goals
The client had goals to lose weight to improve his mood, mobility, and physical health, however, he was unable to manage at a traditional gym as he needed to be able to park his car within a short distance to the entrance due to pain in his knees and lack of mobility. He also needed financial advice and support regarding his online business.
Solutions
The SPLW referred him to Talking Therapies so he can address his stress and anxiety by learning coping skills and problem-solving techniques. He was also referred to a GPA Health and Wellbeing Coach who helped him with his weight loss goals who then linked him with the West Northamptonshire Council – Public Health Weight Management Scheme which meant he could access 12 free sessions at Slimming World. The SPLW connected him with the Car Mobility Scheme, and he was guided to request a Blue Badge so that he could visit the gym to improve his physical wellbeing. To support him with his online business, he was sent links to courses on Small Business Start-Ups and Marketing and IT Skills for his own learning and development.
Outcomes
After speaking with an SPLW, the client felt reassured about his online business as he gained skilled to manage his finances better. He also has managed to control his stress, anxiety, and weight by being part of Slimming World and be able to visit the gym now that he was granted a Blue Badge so that he could park closer to the entrance. Overall, the client feels more positive, fulfilled, and feels like he has a purpose again.
Patient Testimonials
