Many things that affect our health can’t be fixed by a medical prescription. Like loneliness, isolation, or problems with money, housing or employment.
Social prescribing means connecting you to activities, groups and support that make a difference. From walking groups to debt advice, it’s about what matters to you.
Social prescribing can help you overcome the challenges that are holding you back. It can help you get active, develop confidence, and take control of your health.
How social prescribing can help
In these bitesize podcast episodes, hosted by Dr Radha, we hear from three people who have benefitted from social prescribing.
Linda's Story
In this episode, we hear how social prescribing can help people going through bereavement and grief.
Linda was left isolated after losing her husband. Wendy, her Social Prescribing Link Worker, helped her join an amazing walking group with Healthier Fleetwood that has given her a sense of community and belonging.
Linda says "I never thought I could do what I have done...this group has really changed my life".
Linda is now a key member of the group and welcomes nervous newcomers, many of whom are also experiencing their own grief and loneliness.
Shiv's Story
Social prescribing supports a range of conditions and issues. Shiv struggled with addiction. He says "It was really a very dark time in my life...I was very disconnected from the world and very lonely".
Whilst detoxing in hospital, he was visited by someone from Outside Edge, a theatre company who specifically work with individuals experiencing addiction. This conversation sparked Shiv's interest and, years later, he now works as a facilitator at the company alongside a new job within health and social care for the NHS.
Shiv's story shows how sometimes it's non-medical interventions which can make the most difference, giving him support, confidence, and even a new career.
Evrill's Story
41% of UK adults report feeling lonelier since lockdown*, such as Evrill, who mentioned these feelings to her GP at the height of the pandemic.
She was referred to a link worker who suggested community music organisation String of Hearts. Every few weeks, they would ring her up and sing songs down the phone. A life-long music fan, she looked forward to the phone calls every week. It was a small thing, but made such a difference.
Now, Evrill attends in person sessions and has lots of like minded friends. She says the group is "medicine to me".
