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Social Prescribing Link Workers

Social Prescribing Link Workers (sometimes called SPLWs or Social Prescribers) work in GP practices and are part of the NHS. 

SPLWs are here to help you to connect with community activities, groups and services to support the practice, social and emotional needs that affect your health and wellbeing, such as housing and money. 

The SPLW will work with you over a fixed number of appointments to help you to achieve your health and wellbeing goals.

A group of social prescribers at a stall at a community event smilling together

How do I refer to a Social Prescribing Link Worker?

Every GP practice is different, so not all GP practices have SPLWs.

If your GP practice allows you to self-refer to a SPLW,  you can find the links to self-refer below:

  • Custom House Surgery
  • Star Lane 
  • St Luke's Medical Centre
  • Royal Docks Medical Centre

If your GP practice isn't listed above, please phone your GP practice to ask them if you can be referred to a SPLW.

What do SPLWs do?

SPLWs are here to help you with non-health related problems, including, but not limited to:

  • Loneliness
  • Housing and homelessness
  • Money problems and benefits guidance
  • Support for carers
  • Drugs and alcohol
  • Help using computers or getting internet access
  • Domestic abuse
  • Support for older people
  • Help to buy food and to access food banks
  • Gambling
  • Low level mental health support (such as anxiety, panic attacks, low mood and stress)
  • Stopping smoking referrals
  • Weight management referrals
  • Work related issues, help to find a job and volunteering

The important thing is that SPLWs focus on what matters to you.

Social prescribing isn't a drop-in service, instead you get a set amount of appointments so you can work on goals that are important to you.

SPLWs will agree a plan with you for then number of sessions you will have and over what period of time.

SPLWs can refer you into local services that can help you with the problems you have.

Hear Carol's story

What was Carol experiencing?

Carol is a 38-year old woman referred for Social Prescribing support.

Carol is was a dental nurse and had a foot condition which made it difficult to stand for long periods of time.

Her employer was being obstructive, insisting she couldn’t sit down and she felt mentally and physically exhausted by working in these circumstances. 

This was impacting on her mental health and giving her anxiety, depression and a lack of confidence to change her situation. This had led her to comfort eat and gain weight.

Carol also had housing problems, living in a house of multiple occupancy).

What did the Social Prescribing Link Worker work with Carol on?

Carol's Social Prescribing Link Worker signposted Carol to Newham Employment Rights Hub for advice about her rights if she wanted to stay in her job, helping her to set goals, build her confidence and empower her to find a new job with a supportive employer.

Carol was also referred to Talking Therapies for counselling.

For her housing problems, Carol was referred to the Council's Private Housing Standards team who contacted her landlord to notify them about the changes they needed to make to Carol's property to avoid losing their license.   

Finally, Carol was referred to Live Well Newham and 150 Club (a free weight management programme) to help her with her weight gain. 

What did they achieve together?

Within 3 months, Carol has a new job as a dental nurse at another dental surgery with a very supportive employer and is studying in her own time to progress her career further. 

She has lost weight and now exercises regularly. She took up the incentive opportunity at 150 Club to receive half price membership to Active Newham leisure centres following completing the programme. This has motivated her to make long-term lifestyle changes. 

She is awaiting the outcome of the Private Housing Standards team’s intervention, but now feels empowered by being able to air her concerns with a team that can support her to know and achieve her rights. 

She feels listened to and supported, positive about herself, more knowledgeable about her rights and has increased her self-confidence to make changes that will impact on her overall wellbeing. 

How we store your personal data

We take your privacy very seriously. As part of our service, we use the Joy platform to store your personal data so we can keep up-to-date records about your health and wellbeing in a safe and secure way. 
 
We will not share your data with anyone or any service without your consent. If you decide you do not want your data stored on the Joy platform, you can tell us and we can delete the data permanently. 
 
For more information about the Joy platform and how they commit to storing your data securely, please visit their website or take a look at our privacy notice.

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