GPs and primary care teams can refer patients into non-medical support and activities to support or benefit their health and wellbeing.
GPs and primary care teams can refer patients into non-medical support and activities to support or benefit their health and wellbeing.
"Social prescribing is a way for local agencies to refer people to a link worker. Link workers give people time, focusing on ‘what matters to me’ and taking a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing. They connect people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support."
NHS England
Yes, definitely. Health and wellbeing coaches, mental health workers, voluntary and community organisations can all offer this type of service, helping people identify support needs and linking them in to community-based support.
What is community-based support?
There are a lot of specialist charities and community groups that can help with things like gambling, addictions, advice for people suffering domestic abuse and more. The problem is it’s difficult to find out what local services exist.
This site seeks to raise awareness of community services across Greater London, and provide a gateway into those services.
This supports NHS England’s preventative health ambitions, and reduces reliance on primary care and other statutory services.
COVID-19 has changed how people access help and support, and has inevitably impacted upon the delivery of social prescribing.
Anyone who comes into contact with an individual who needs social support can make a referral into social prescribing services – this could be the police, fire and rescue, adult social care teams or other voluntary agencies.
There are many social prescribing services operating across London, as well as community groups and activities that will improve your physical and mental wellbeing.
