Social prescribing transforming lives across Coventry and Warwickshire
The NHS-funded scheme connects patients to various community groups, from exercise and social activities to mental health support
NHS Coventry and Warwickshire is showcasing how community support is helping local people improve their wellbeing without relying solely on medical treatment.
Social prescribing helps people with issues affecting their health, such as loneliness, stress, money worries, and low confidence.
Instead of medication, GPs can connect patients with link workers, who listen to their needs and link them to local groups, activities, and services.
Support can include walking groups, creative activities, financial or housing advice, volunteering, and therapy animals, helping people feel more connected, confident, and in control of their lives.
In Nuneaton and Bedworth, a group called Buggy Talk allows new parents to socialise while staying active. One parent said: "I preferred the social, active nature of the sessions after feeling isolated during pregnancy."
Karen Ashby, Lead Social Prescribing Link Worker for Nuneaton and Bedworth said: “Social prescribing is about supporting people with everyday things like loneliness, isolation, money worries, housing or work issues, things that some people can’t necessarily deal with in the same way as others and that have an impact on their health and wellbeing.
“We are there to listen to people and explore what matters most to them before connecting them with the right support to help alleviate all the issues they are facing, be that local community groups or services.”
Data shows that across Warwickshire, patient well being improved by 40% after working with a link worker with many reporting improvements in their mood, wellbeing and sense of belonging.
Social prescribing is now available through GP practices across Coventry and Warwickshire, and people can also refer themselves to groups and activities.