Social Prescribing

Social prescribing, sometimes referred to as community referral, is a means of enabling GPs, nurses and other primary care professionals to refer people to a range of local, non-clinical services.

Recognising that people’s health is determined primarily by a range of social, economic and environmental factors, social prescribing seeks to address people’s needs in a holistic way and aims to support individuals to take greater control of their own health.

Social prescribing schemes can involve a variety of activities which are typically provided by voluntary and community sector organisations. Examples include volunteering, arts activities, group learning, gardening, befriending, cookery, healthy eating advice and a range of sports.

There are many different models for social prescribing, but most involve a ‘link worker’ who works with people to access local sources of support and to find out what activities might best suit the individual.

Those who could benefit from social prescribing schemes include people with mild or long-term mental health problems, vulnerable groups, people who are socially isolated, and those who frequently attend either primary or secondary health care.

An excellent local resource is Health Connections, that among other services, provides an extensive directory of groups and services in Guernsey that might help to improve your health and wellbeing.

Patients can access Bailiwick Social Prescribing via their GP and via Healthy Minds. More information can be found at https://bsp.org.gg