Social prescribing is a relatively new concept that places patients at the centre of their own non-clinical care, highlighting the ethos of “what matters to me!,”
The aim is to help people discover ways to feel better and improve how they feel in a manner that supports their own decision making.
Social Prescribing offers help and support that doesn’t come in a tube or a bottle but instead through engagement with local and community based groups and resources to aid support, encourage participation and help reduce the impact of loneliness and isolation.
Hannah Jones is our local Social Prescriber, joining the team in October 2024.
Hannah is keen to reduce health inequalities through engagement and access to the wide range of local and community based groups available in the New forest.
She Provides time and a listening ear, so valuable in the busy world we all inhabit now.
The whole social prescribing team are well placed at the heart of the community to do the job!
How Social Prescribing works:
- After a discussion with one of our team the hope is to agree a plan to help you achieve your goals through exploring what’s important in your life and identifying what services locally will benefit / help you,
- You will be assisted in being signposted to services, community groups and support in your local area, which may include:
- Healthy lifestyle & activity: Nutrition, diet & exercise, accessible to all (no matter your current level).
- Arts, music, outdoors & creativity,
- Befriending, counselling & other support groups,
- Housing, benefits, financial support & advice,
- Employment, training & volunteering,
- Education & learning,
- Getting involved in your community,
- Accessing specialist service & support.
The New forest social prescribing team will be there for you whilst you are on this journey, follow up appointments are available to ensure you are happy with the process and ensuring you are on the right track to reaching your goals!
To access the social prescribing service in the New Forest, you can either ask your GP for a referral or self-refer through the New Forest PCN website. The New Forest PCN uses Joy to help deliver social prescribing and offers a self-referral option on their website, along with a link to a national map of local services. You can also explore the New Forest PCN website for more information about the service and how it can help you.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
- Through your GP:
- If you are a patient at one of the GP surgeries within the New Forest Primary Care Network, you can ask your GP if they offer social prescribing and if they can refer you to a link worker.
- Social prescribing link workers act as a bridge between the health service and community support organizations.
- Your GP will assess your needs and determine if social prescribing is a suitable option for you.
- Self-referral via New Forest PCN website:
- The New Forest PCN website provides a dedicated page for social prescribing information and self-referral.
- You can find a link to self-refer on this page, allowing you to connect directly with a social prescribing link worker.
- This service is available to patients registered with surgeries within the New Forest PCN.
- What to expect from social prescribing:
- A social prescribing link worker will meet with you to discuss your needs and identify relevant community support.
- They can connect you with a range of services, including community groups, charities, and organizations offering support for things like mental wellbeing, loneliness, and practical needs like housing or finances.
- Social prescribing aims to improve your overall health and wellbeing by connecting you with local resources that can address your specific needs
