What is social prescribing?
Want to learn about social prescribing? This video explains the service and how it can help you.
We all know that many things affect our health and wellbeing and that taking care of yourself involves more than just medicine.
Life’s challenges can all contribute to ill health, and you may find yourself needing some extra support to address these issues.
Our free social prescribing service offers the kind of help that doesn’t come in a tube or a bottle. Using their extensive knowledge of local services, our social prescribers can empower you to take control of your health and wellbeing in a way that suits you.
The service is available to anyone aged 18 or over but please note we are not a crisis service.
Speak to your GP or healthcare professional about a referral to the service, or for more info you can fill in our contact us form.
How does the service work?
Once a referral has been made, a member of our social prescribing team will contact you to arrange an initial appointment. Not sure what you need? Not to worry. An initial chat gives us a chance to explore your situation in more detail, identify your needs and which services and activities you may like to connect with, whether it’s help with mental health or financial problems, or just finding a local group for your hobby or pastime.
Appointments can take place face-to-face, via phone or by post or email, so whichever way you prefer to contact us, we can provide support that suits you.
Support lasts for up to six weeks from point of referral, but during that time we can put you in touch with other organisations if you feel you need ongoing support.
What kind of issues can we support you with?
We can connect you with a range of support services such as:
- Befriending, counselling and emotional support groups
- Housing, benefits and financial support
- Healthy lifestyle advice and physical activity or sports groups
- Employment, training and volunteering
- Hobby and activity based groups
Just need a bit of help to make that first step? Your social prescriber can offer encouragement and make introductions to any groups, services or organisations you want to join.
The Elmbridge social prescribing service is run in partnership with the Elmbridge Primary Care Networks, the NHS and Surrey County Council. For self-help tips on how to improve your wellbeing, visit the NHS Live Well webpage.
Please note that the Social Prescribing Service is subject to the terms of our privacy policy.
