What is social prescribing?
What is social prescribing?
Social prescribing is when you work in partnership with a healthcare professional known as a social prescribing community support worker ( or link worker) to identify non-medical solutions. It is a way for health professionals to connect people to community activities, groups and services that support their practical, social, and emotional needs.
Social prescribing isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, nor is it a replacement for medical care. It complements traditional healthcare by providing holistic support tailored to individual needs, preferences, and goals.
Social prescribing works particularly well for people who:
- Have one or more long-term conditions
- Need support with low-level mental health issues
- Are lonely or isolated
- Have financial instability or are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis
- Have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.
How can an NHS social prescribing Community Support Worker help me?
Community Support Workers or Link Workers as they are sometimes known are based in GP surgeries around the city. They can help with things like:
- finding out about and supporting you to join local social activities
- sourcing help in and around the home
- temporary help if someone is unwell
- finding support for carers
- planning for times of bad weather
- advice on transport options
- information on housing, health and social care
- encouragement to live an active life
- support to check benefit entitlements.
Make a referral
You can refer yourself or you can refer someone you know, but you must have their permission. If you are referring someone else, please also give your own contact details. GPs and other professionals can also make referrals.
Telephone their Sheffield Central Referral Hub on 0114 205 7120.
What happens next
You will be contacted by telephone by your local Community Support Worker.
They will arrange with you when to meet – either in your own home, a GP surgery or another convenient location - to discuss the help you need.
Need more information?
If you have more questions about social prescribing, NHS England has a list of frequently asked questions.
Take a look at these other helpful resources:
Sheffield social prescribing information
Sheffield Community Support Workers
Social prescribing (patients-association.org.uk)
Social Prescribing: a new way to feel better - National Association of Link Workers (nalw.org.uk)
What is social prescribing? - Kings Fund (www.kingsfund.org.uk)
The transformative effect of social prescribing (patients-association.org.uk)
