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Social Prescribing for better health and wellbeing Posted or Updated on 25 Aug 2022

Social Prescribing for better health and wellbeing

Social prescribing helps people aged 18 and over to address social, emotional and practical needs by connecting them to sources of support within their community, to help improve their health and wellbeing. Many things can affect your health and wellbeing. GPs tell us that a lot of people visit them feeling isolated or lonely. Or they might be stressed out by work, money or housing problems. We know that taking care of your health involves more than just medicine.

How do I access the service?

It starts with a conversation, maybe with your doctor or with another person in the Practice team. They could refer you to a Social Prescribing Link Worker. If you want to use this Service contact your Practice.

The Social Prescriber is:

Someone to talk to confidentiality
Someone who is practical, helpful and who will not judge you
Someone who can help you decide what you'd like to do to improve your health and wellbeing
Someone who can find activities that will suit you
Someone who can give you support along the way

Together you will be able to:

Explore what is important for your life and wellbeing
Identify the local activities and services you can benefit from
Gain support and encouragement to start using services that can help you

Social Prescribing can link you with many services in your community:

Healthy lifestyles and active lives / Arts, Music, outdoors and creativity
Befriending, counselling and other support groups / Local groups and activities
Housing, benefits and financial advice / Employment, training and volunteering

What support can I get?

The link working can help you with a range of issues including:

  • Social isolation or Loneliness
  • Emotional wellbeing
  • Healthy lifestyle choices
  • Getting out and about
  • Life changing events such as birth, retirement, bereavement
  • Long term health conditions
  • Loss of confidence/purpose
  • Poor health linked to housing or housing conditions
  • Accessing work, training and volunteering

Practices in the Preston North and East Primary Care Network

Berry Lane Medical Centre - 01772 376777
Stonebridge Surgery - 01772 214820
Ribble Village Health Centre - 01772 792864
Ribbleton Medical Centre - 01772 529064
Avenham Health Centre - 01772 529120
Issa Medical Centre - 01772 798122
Lytham Road Surgery - 01772 716033
Dr C M Wilson & Partners - 01772 655533

The names of the Social Prescribers are: Adele Houghton, Senior Social Prescriber, Tracey Browett and Chris Jones. 

Local Services
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