Sally's Social Prescribing Story

Submitted by Anonymous on

Thursday 9 March is Social Prescribing Day, an annual celebration of Social Prescribing, recognising link workers, local community groups and regional and national organisations which support people’s health and wellbeing.

Action Together hosts Social Prescribing services in Oldham and Tameside. We support residents in both boroughs to improve their health and wellbeing by connecting them with community activities, voluntary groups, and support services. Sally* was referred to our service because of health challenges linked to her housing situation. This is her story.

 

Sally is 65 years old and lived alone. She was referred to Social Prescribing by her Housing Officer as she was feeling very lonely and isolated. She was suffering with low mood and suicidal thoughts, and had been put in touch with Social Prescribing for social activities in Oldham.

Sally’s only daughter lived in Rossendale, and she wanted to move closer to be nearer to her family. However, she had been told she didn’t have a housing need and would be on the waiting list for approximately five years.

Social Prescribing Link Workers work with people to find out more about their challenges, interests and what they want to achieve. They offer practical, social and emotional support to people, listening to their needs before connecting them with local community and voluntary groups offering a range of activities and services.

 A Social Prescribing Link Worker chatted with Sally to find out more about her. Sally said she was feeling really low and felt like there was no solution for her. Although she had been referred for social activities, through discussion with her Link Worker Sally shared that what really mattered to her was to be near her daughter. Sally also shared that her dog had passed away six weeks earlier, and she felt like she couldn’t face day-to-day life anymore on her own.

Despite the circumstances being different to the original referral, her Link Worker adapted to what Sally needed and helped Sally address the root cause of her health challenges.

The Link Worker agreed a course of action with Sally, and spoke with her housing provider to find out if they had any vacant properties in the Rossendale area.

Sally and the provider found accommodation in Rossendale and the Link Worker supported Sally to apply for property. The application was successful, and the Link Worker then helped Sally find a removal company.

Within a few months Sally had moved into her new property near to her daughter. The new accommodation also has on-site social activities - the original prompt for the Social Prescribing referral - through which Sally made new friends.

Sally said,

"You saved my life! When I was told it would be five years on the waiting list to move near my daughter I had given up.

"I cant thank you enough, you don’t know how much you have helped me. I’ve already met my new neighbour who is lovely! 

"My new property is less than a mile from my daughter and it's changed my life and given me a reason to live.

"It’s the best thing that has happened to me and I would never look back - thank you."

There are a number of ways to access Social Prescribing in Oldham:

*Name changed