Jenny, 76, from Chelmsford, has seen first-hand how social prescribing can help. She has benefitted from the help of her local social prescriber, Frank, and actively encourages other people to use the service too.
Helping others stay connected
Jenny is a volunteer with Chelmsford Volunteering Centre (Chelmsford CVS) and an active member of her community. She regularly uses her knowledge of social prescribing to help other people understand how valuable it is. She says: “Social prescribing is not about prescribing medication, it’s so much more than that. It can help both mental and physical wellbeing.
“A lot of people in the local Friendship Club and Community Centre have problems getting out and about. Frank has been helping them access community transport so they can start to enjoy weekly shopping trips and social outings. He’s very aware of what is happening locally. It’s making a real difference to these people. Social prescribing is so valuable and it’s there to support everyone.”
A helping hand for Jenny
Until August last year, Jenny was quite mobile and could get about unaided, despite having two knee replacements. But after she was knocked over by a car, she needed a walker and walking stick to move around. Now she needed some support.
Her Blue Badge renewal was refused, even though she now needed wider car parking spaces to get in and out of cars safely. Jenny also has Crohn’s Disease which means she needs quick access to toilet facilities. A Blue Badge gives her independence.
Frank, her social prescriber, helped her find the right digital information to support appealing the decision, which she wouldn’t have been able to do on her own. He also supported Jenny by listening to her as she had been struggling with anxiety since her accident.
The appeal was successful. Jenny says: “Thankfully my Blue Badge was renewed. I can now go out without worry and not feel isolated. Frank has helped give me peace of mind.”
Boosting community wellbeing
Thirty-four-year-old Frank has been a social prescriber for seven years, helping Jenny and others in the local community improve their health and wellbeing.
He says: “Social prescribing helps people stay independent. It empowers them to manage their own health and helps them connect with support services.”
These connections with volunteer organisations, national and local charities and local authority subsidised services are invaluable. They offer people much-needed support and strengthen wider community wellbeing and social interaction.
Frank continues: “We help the people we work with build links with others they may not usually connect with. This can improve their personal wellbeing and boost confidence in local initiatives. As a result, social prescribing reduces pressure on health and social care services by acting as an early intervention and promoting preventative support.”
Find out more about social prescribing and how to access support