Social prescription The Forest of Dean approach to

Social prescription The Forest of Dean approach to a county-wide initiative Tess Tremlett - Community Engagement Manager

What is Social Prescribing? ‘A clear, coherent and collaborative process in which healthcare practitioners work with patients and service users to select and make referrals to community based services. ’ (Langford et al, 2013)

Social Prescribing in Practice A referral pathway for patients with multiple, non-medical needs Referrals by practice staff and other health care professionals Linking to a wide range of local non-clinical services Often accessing the voluntary and community sector.

Who can it help? Anyone over the age of 18 Registered with a Gloucestershire GP Multiple, non-medical, needs Socially isolated, vulnerable and/or other emotional needs Living with long-term conditions Frequent attenders in primary care

Are there any exclusions? People under 18 years of age. Patients where a clear referral route already exists e. g. Adult Social Care. Patients with high risk and/or complex mental health needs.

How does it work? Referrals to District Hub, based within Community Engagement Team at Forest of Dean District Council Practice based model Personalised assessment from Social Prescribing facilitator Listening, signposting and onward referrals Ongoing person-centred support Scheduled reviews and feedback to referrer

Volunteering Community support Exercise referral GRCC Gardening Greensquare Lunch clubs Severnwye Age UK Art groups Health walks FODDC FVAF Peer advocacy Cookery P 3 Independence Trust Dementia support Benefits advice Citizens Advice I don’t know where to turn Carers’ Gloucestershire Befriending I know a service that can help! Debt advice SOCIAL REFERRAL HUB

What are the benefits? Research into social prescribing reports benefits in three key areas (Friedli and Watson, 2004): • improving mental health outcomes • improving community wellbeing • reducing social exclusion

Social Prescribing in Action

Feedback Art Lift on a Monday (I really enjoy this - time to think about other things); Swimming on a Thursday; Arts and Crafts on a Friday. Visited by Mike the Village Agent - helpful to do know what he can do. I have been put in touch with Wyedean Housing and Greensquare … it has allowed me to go from N. F. A to having my own place. The advice, encouragement and (as a result) confidence I've benefited from are very much appreciated. On Tuesdays I go to an exercise class, on Wednesdays I go to a luncheon club, on Fridays and Saturdays I see my friends at the café and I see my friends monthly for a Sunday lunch. I was also visited by the village agent and given a pack in case of a power cut. It gave me an overview into what was available which made me feel more optimistic. Greatly appreciated your support which helped me.

For further information please contact Tess Tremlett – Community Engagement Manager Tel: 01594 812382 Email: tess. tremlett@fdean. gcsx. gov. uk Gary Deighton – Exercise Referral Co-ordinator Tel: 01594 812399 Email: Gary. Deighton@fdean. gcsx. gov. uk Website: http: //www. fdean. gov. uk/nqcontent. cfm? a_id=88 34&tt=graphic

SOCIAL PRESCRIBING ANY QUESTIONS?