What is ‘social prescribing’ on the NHS and how can it help?

National Social Prescribing Day is on the 9 March this year and its intention is to celebrate and recognise the many valuable community groups that support the general health and wellbeing of our local people.

But, when we hear the words ‘social prescribing’, do all of us really know what that means? Or how helpful these local services can be for us as individuals?

This March, we want to play a role in helping you understand what social prescribing is, how it works, and how it can change your life.

Social prescribing is a care approach that ‘connects people to activities, groups and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing’ (NHS England).

Our Your Health Service delivers the social prescribing offers across Hull and the East Riding. Our professional team is made up of expert Health and Wellbeing Advisors and Connectors, who are equipped to refer you into support services that focus solely on what matters to you, to help you achieve your health and wellbeing goals.

It can help you take a holistic approach and empower you, when wanting to top up your own self-care. This can include both practical and emotional support.

When working with our friendly team, you can expect to develop a care plan which is tailored to you as an individual. This could include support on a whole range of topics such as employment, finances, carers, emotional wellbeing, welfare, cost of living, dementia, and more.

To help you understand what the service is and how it could potentially help you, our team are hosting a series of events across the East Riding between 6 and 10 March 2023.

6^th March 2023

- Hornsea Hub, 9am – 2pm

- Goole courtyard, 9am – 2pm

7^th March 2023

- Beverley Children’s Centre, 1pm – 4pm

8^th March 2023

- Bridlington Friend’s Association, 9am – 1pm

- Beverley Leisure Centre, 9am – 1pm

- Hessle Sainsbury’s, 9am – 12pm

9^th March 2023

- Cottingham Market, 9am – 11am

- Beverley St Nicholas’ Church, 10am – 12pm

- Beverley Library, 12:30pm – 3pm

- Goole Ilkestone Community Centre, 12:30pm – 3pm

- Driffield Market, 9am – 4pm

- Market Weighton Acorn Community Shop, 10am – 4pm

These events are open to all, you can drop in any time using the above details, and the friendly team will be there on the day to welcome you. They look forward to hearing from you and will be able to advise with regards to the support available for your individual needs.

Your Health service user, said:

‘‘All round it’s a win for all 3 of us in my family and I’m truly grateful for opening my eyes and showing me there is a way forward and encouraging me to take the steps to make life so much better. Sceptic at first but now a believer.

I do advise anyone who’s thinking that medicine is the only way forward that probably in the longer run you will be much better off talking to someone who can get you to see you as others might see you. I’m really grateful for that.’’

Since 2019, thousands of organisations, health and social care professionals, community groups, and the VCSE sector, have come together in this mission, to look at our national social prescribing offer and the impact it makes on our communities at a local level.

Our Your Health service is part of their wider and unique ‘Prevention, Recovery and Wellbeing team’. The team aims to improve the health, wellbeing, lifestyle, social and health inequalities across our East Riding communities.

Anyone can seek social prescribing support, and when you do, you can expect to produce a personalised support plan together with the professional team, to help you reach your goals.

Social prescribing works well for people who:

- Have one or more long term conditions

- Who need support with low level mental health issues

- Who are lonely or isolated

- Who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing

- Who have financial instability or are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis

- Who is caring for others

If you’re unsure if social prescribing is for you and you cannot make it to one of the team’s upcoming events, you can also contact the Your Health service today to find out more:

Website: www.nhs-health-trainers.co.uk

Phone: 0800 9177752