What is Social Prescribing?

Social prescribing is part of what the NHS call Universal Personalised Support. Through link workers people are connected to wider community support which can help improve health and well-being and engage and deal with some of the underlying causes of ill health. It can involve a variety of support and activities. Some of which are typically provided by organisations like Tapestry such as volunteering, arts activities, group learning, gardening, befriending, cookery, healthy eating advice, sports and exercise.

How does it work?

Healthcare professionals - like your doctor or community nurse - are able to refer you to local services to meet your wellbeing needs. They do this through a Social Prescribing Link Worker who will support you to say what you need and what you would like to do. At Tapestry we do this by assisting you prepare your own personal support plan. The idea is to make the link between you and all the things out there in Havering and beyond that can help you stay physically and mentally well.

What matters to you?

The personal support plan is yours and writes down the things that matter to you. This might involve:

• One to one support
• Home visits
• Going with you to appointments or on visits if helpful
• Linking you up with other services
• Plus access to all the community activities open locally.

But does it work?

Lots of people think so and say they find the personal support plan assists them stay well. If you want to find out more then a good place to start is HERE.

The publication: North east London guide for new Social Prescribing Link Workers gives a full picture of what social prescribing is all about.

We have to keep records, that we will share with you if personal, to show what we have been doing and whether it is successful. Most of all we are interested in what you think.

Possibly a Social Prescribing Link Worker might be able to help you stay safe and well? If you think so then ask your GP or Community Nurse or get in touch with us at Tapestry to find out about our programme of wellbeing activities. Contact Zoey [email protected] 01708 208452