Submitted by Matthew Lloyd on
Action Together’s Social Prescribing Team are deeply rooted within Tameside and its communities; this allows us to build on our knowledge and strengthen our growing networks with the various community provisions Tameside has to offer. Social Prescribing is a non-urgent and non-medical service.
Alan's Social Prescribing Story
Alan was referred to our Tameside Social Prescribing service by Rufia, Complex Care Coordinator at Ashton Primary Care Network (PCN). Rufia was one of 452 referrers from a variety of different services who connected the people they support with our Social Prescribing team in the last year.
Alan had told Rufia he was feeling disconnected from the community. After his referral, we connected Alan with Sue, one of our Social Prescribing Officers. Find out more about Sue.
Sue is our Social Prescribing officer for Denton, Audenshaw and Droylsden. Although Alan lives and is registered with a GP in Ashton, Sue was able to support his referral. Although our Social Prescribing Officers are community-based in areas across Tameside, our team are flexible and able to respond to demand in different areas if there is an increase in referrals. Due to the way our team work closely together across Tameside, our local knowledge is extensive and reaches beyond the boundaries of their working area. Last year, our team connected Tameside residents with 455 groups, activities and services both within their neighbourhood and across the wider borough.
Sue initially spoke to Alan over the phone to find out more about him and what he wanted to achieve. Alan's overall goal was to find out more about what's going on locally.
Alan also shared that his wife had passed away a number of years previously. They had enjoyed cycling together, but Alan had given their bikes away after her passing.
Sue provided Alan with a range of information on local services and activities, including AgeUK – Wellbeing Walks, Tameside Libraries Chess Club (at Ashton Library), The Together Centre, The Shed, and The Community Cycle Circuit in Ashton.
Alan expressed an interest in the Cycle Circuit, so Sue contacted Active Tameside, who deliver the sessions. She found out more about the sign-up process, times and sessions to make attending less daunting. Alan then visited the Cycle Circuit to check it out ahead of a session. It's important that our Social Prescribing clients are ready to engage before they begin a new activity, and we work with all our clients to prepare before they try something new. While we provide connections and information, it's the people we work with who take the next step to make a change in their lives. With the support provided by Sue, Alan was able to do just that.
After attending a session, Alan has become a regular at the Cycle Circuit's Monday sessions. He cycles 10k every week, and has taken up completing laps on a racing bike.
"I'm really benefitting from the sessions. I've lost half a stone and am feeling great!"
He's supported by Gary, Active Tameside's Cycle Circuit coach, with regular contact from Sue to see how he's getting on. Gary commented on the difference he has seen in Alan over the past few weeks, and how he is more confident on the bike seems more healthy. Alan is also socialising more with others attending the sessions, too.
Alan is looking to continue at the session and is making plans to get a bike of his own. He's now looking to attend the additional 60 minute Wednesday coach-led ride that starts from the Cycle Circuit and includes routes to Daisy Nook, followed by a brew at the hut at the circuit.
Rufia, who originally referred Alan to Tameside Social Prescribing, commented on how good it is to see the journey of the clients they refer to our Social Prescribing team. She could see how Alan has benefitted from the referral to our team and the connections he has made. Rufia's team also shared that 30% of the patients they are working with are being referred to our Social Prescribing team.
