Join the Community Health and Wellbeing Event

If you want to find out more and meet local organisations that support the Lambeth and Streatham Community, why not join the team at the Community Health and Wellbeing Event on 2 March at 2-8 Gracefield Gardens SW16 2ST from 11:30am until 4pm.

A Social Prescribing Link Worker, who is based at Edith Cavell Practice has described how the service is helping patients and locals in the community access numerous services such as housing, mental health services and food banks.

Michaela Coker, who has been in the role since December 2019 supports individuals with complex and social care needs on a one-to-one basis.

What is social prescribing?

Social prescribing is a way of connecting people with groups, services and activities within their communities. It is also a way of meeting the practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing.

Clinicians from GP practices, social care, other health services and charities are all able to refer people to a social prescribing link worker. The very important role of a social prescribing link worker gives a person the time to focus on “what matters to me”. It is also an opportunity to work with the patient to coproduce a very simple personalised care and support plan. This supports people to take control of their own health and wellbeing.

Social prescribing is for all ages, and it is an approach that works particularly well for those individuals who:

• Suffer with one or more long term health conditions
• Who need support with low level mental health issues
• Who are feeling lonely or are isolated and have no family to support them
• Those who have complex social needs which affects their wellbeing.

If you know of anyone who is feeling vulnerable or is suffering please get in touch with your GP practice, social care provider or a local charity. They are there to help you during your most difficult of times. Don’t suffer in silence.