What is social prescribing?
Social prescribing is an 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.
As a practice we can refer people to a social prescribing link worker. Social prescribing link workers give people time, focusing on ‘what matters to me?’ to coproduce a simple personalised care and support plan, and support people to take control of their health and wellbeing.
Social prescribing link workers also support existing community groups to be accessible and sustainable, and help people to start new groups, working collaboratively with all local partners.
Social Prescribing in York
Primary Care Link Workers are part of the Social Prescribing Team at York CVS. The Primary Care Link Workers are social prescribers based in GP surgeries across York, working alongside individuals to get to know them, and ultimately help them improve their health and wellbeing.
Often people access their GP for what is primarily a social issue, (e.g. loneliness, isolation, financial problems), social prescribing helps provide individuals with an alternative to medical intervention. The team are well placed to address the root cause of these difficulties, and are able to meet individuals in their surgery or out in the community, wherever an individual prefers.
Getting in touch
This is a non-judgemental service to support individuals to make small changes, that could make a big impact on their quality of life. If you would like to access this service or find out more call 01904 437911.
Appointments are available at all of our York practices, so please ask your GP or ask one of the receptionists who will be happy to refer you. For more information about social prescribing visit the NHS England Social Prescribing webpage