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Social Prescribing recognises that health is not just about treating symptoms, but also about improving a person's overall quality of life - considering their physical, mental, and social needs. It empowers individuals to take an active role in their own health and wellbeing by providing them with the connections and resources in their community to help them achieve their goals.
Results that are making a difference
Throughout the month of July, our Social Prescribing Team in Tameside have facilitated an amazing 415 client connections to 159 different opportunities. It's really great to hear the wonderful client feedback which is regularly coming back to us about the impact it is having on people's lives. Below are just a few of the inspiring stories we've received in recent weeks.
Jackie's Story - “Don't give up at the first hurdle”
Jackie's husband is a client of our SP Officer for Denton, Audenshaw and Droylsden, Sue Pomfret. Jackie's husband suffered a brain injury and engaged with Social Prescribing to 'get back on track'. Initially Jackie's husband was reluctant to become involved in the activities and make the connections we linked him to but, she says, he persevered and he really enjoyed it!He was connected with a bowling session at Victoria Park, Denton. On the first week he went with his wife, the second a friend took him and by the third week the he went independently via Ring ‘n’ Ride (another service that Sue had connected him with.
Jackie told us "The bowling thing has been brilliant for him. Last week he came back joyous. Basically, if I can pass on any advice it's ‘don’t give up at the first hurdle’.
Nevia's Story - “I lost my partner and felt alone, but Liz made me feel better!”
Nevia was referred into Social Prescribing by her GP in March 2023 as she was feeling isolated, lonely, and felt disconnected from the community following her 12-month cancer care review. Nevia’s fiancé had sadly passed away and, in addition, she had experienced physical health problems causing her to become more isolated.Nevia explained to our SP Officer, Liz, that she felt that she was ready to get back out into the community and enjoy more activities. She said was a very creative person and was skilled in cake decorating. Nevia was a Christian and her religion and the church community were very important to her. Liz worked with Nevia to identify options for activities to help her achieve her goals, of attending groups to help with her isolation, loneliness and disconnect. Nevia chose to attend Phantasmagoria and drumming classes and has progressed to attending many more sessions on her own. Nevia was also referred to Lisa, our Volunteer Officer in Tameside after she commented that she'd like to get involved in volunteering again and has now chosen to volunteer with the Women’s Centre.
Since working with Liz, Nevia noticed an improvement in her wellbeing and commented that she is feeling better “Until I lost my partner I felt alone, but Liz made me feel better. It was good to get to find out about what is happening and to meet people.
Yasmin's Story - “Thanks so much. Without your help, I would not have got the advice which I have been struggling to get for months.”
Yasmin, a 37-year-old new mum was referred to Social Prescribing by her medical professional, Yasmin’s referral noted that she had ‘problems coping’. Yasmin was assigned to our SP Officer Jyoti, who took the time to listen to Yasmin about the challenges she had been experiencing. Alongside adjusting to being a Mum, Yasmin was also adjusting to living in the UK, having recently moved from Romania.Yasmin confided that she had felt let down with other healthcare professionals, who hadn’t supported her when she had sought advice on where to go for diet and health advice for her baby. Jyoti explained to Yasmin about Healthwatch Tameside. Yasmin appreciated the information and consented to a referral being made to the Healthwatch team. Alongside this, Yasmin also wanted to focus on meeting other parents in her local area. Jyoti provided details of the nearest Baby Clinic and local parenting groups.
Since being referred to Social Prescribing and, additionally, being connected to Healthwatch Tameside Yasmin has received contact from a Paediatric Dietician, connecting her with the support she had been seeking for months. Yasmin commented to Jyoti “I feel very supported and more confident in what I need to do for my daughter and her diet.”
Yasmin's 'Wellbeing Scores' (questions we ask at the start and end of a person’s time with the Social Prescribing Team to see if a person’s wellbeing has improved) highlighted that she was feeling happier, more worthwhile, and more satisfied with her life since working with Jyoti. At the start, Yasmin scored herself as '10 - feeling very anxious' but at the point of closing she scored herself as '0 - not anxious at all'!
What is Social Prescribing?
In short, Social Prescribing helps people to make new connections in their community.
Our Tameside Social Prescribing Team work with people to help them make new connections in their community. We listen to people to find out what's important to them, what changes they would like to make in their lives, and help identify the best ways to achieve those changes. Our Team connect people to what’s available in their local community, including groups, activities, and appropriate services that they're able to easily access and attend independently.
Our aim is to encourage the people we work with to improve and manage their own wellbeing and we work together with people on a 1-2-1 basis, creating goals to get that person to where they want to be.
We are not support workers, our work is non-medical and non-urgent. We work with people that are motivated and ready to engage with us to make positive changes. Social Prescribing is free and we work with people over the telephone, in community spaces, or by visiting them in their homes.