Social Prescribing

Social prescribing is an approach to health and wellbeing that connects people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet their practical, social and emotional needs alongside any medical based treatment or care they may be receiving. As part of your local NHS services, Social Prescribing Link Workers are the team who help deliver and connect people to these services.

What will a Social Prescribing Link Worker do for me?

The Social Prescribing Link Worker will give you the time to discuss not just your condition(s) but the impact it has on your life. They take a whole needs approach to your situation. They can be especially helpful if you have one or more long term conditions or complex needs. The Social Prescribing Link Worker knows what services are available and puts you in touch or co-ordinates your participation. With your input, they will put together a personalised plan and help you make connections with relevant local services.

What kind of services may I be referred to?

You may be referred non-medical community-based activities and holistic support, alongside medical treatment as part of a personalised care approach. This could be exercise, social or mental health support. They may also connect you with services such as housing, welfare or financial advice if that is what you need. Learn more about the initiative on the NHS England website.

How can I access these services?

Most Prescribing Link Workers will be connected to GP surgeries – so your local surgery is the best starting point to be put in touch with someone. You may be referred by your GP, another healthcare practitioner, a charity, community group, local authority, or a range of other local organisations. Self-referral may also be possible.

How will social prescribing help me?

There is a growing body of evidence which shows that social prescribing improves wellbeing for people, giving them more control over their lives.

Why might a Social Prescribing Link Worker refer me to an exercise class?

Movement and staying active is a great way to manage the pain associated with arthritis. However, getting started with exercise can be difficult if you are not sure what might work for you. This is where Social Prescribing can help. If you feel like you want to take up some movement to help your arthritis, Social Prescribers have a directory of local services from leisure centres, pilates, walking groups and yoga. There is something for everyone. They also ensure all activities are low cost.

If you prefer to exercise at home, they may suggest you contact an organisation such as Arthritis Action as we have a great range of suggestions for self-managing techniques.

Why might a Social Prescribing Link Worker refer me for mental health support?

Having a long-term condition, like arthritis, often means dealing with pain on a daily basis. Managing pain can take a huge toll our mental health too. The Social Prescribing Link Worker may feel you would benefit from talking to someone about this either individually or in a support group. If you don’t want to join something in person, you may be directed to online support, such as our Arthritis Online Groups.

Why am I being referred to Social Prescribing by my GP?

Social prescribing sits alongside traditional primary care services, and you should always see your GP if you have a medical problem. However, as is well recognised, GP services are under considerable pressure and consultation times are limited to ten minutes or so. As much as they would like to, doctors often don’t have time to consider your needs beyond the immediate problem at hand. With many conditions, such as arthritis, there are a whole range of ways you can manage your symptoms beyond medical pain relief. A Prescribing Link Worker will have more time to explore what specifically can help you.

Does Social Prescribing really work?

Many local signposting services have been running for a long-time but there is now more recognition of the benefits they play in enabling individuals to take control of their health and wider lives. Additionally, evaluations of local social prescribing schemes have reported reduced pressure on NHS services, with reductions in GP consultations, A&E attendances and hospital bed stays for people who have received social prescribing support.

It has also been recognised in the NHS review report commissioned by the new Labour government and overseen by Lord Darzi, that the NHS infrastructure is under huge pressure and needs long-term reform. But equally, the health of the nation has deteriorated because of outside pressures such as poor housing, standards of living, insecure employment etc. It recognises that more needs to be done in the community to raise quality of health, which is what Social Prescribing is all about.

How are charities such as Arthritis Action involved in Social Prescribing?

Many charities have their foundations in providing help and support at a community level and have a vast array of experience in doing so. They may work at the local level or have interest in specific areas of healthcare or service provision.

At Arthritis Action, our history and self-management approach to arthritis means we are uniquely placed to provide information, support and advice that fits in with the person-centred approach that Social Prescribing also seeks to help. As an example, Arthritis Action has been involved in a two-year pilot study to look at the benefits of introducing community-based exercises to help with musculoskeletal conditions in local leisure centres around the UK – find out more here.