What is Social Prescribing?
Social prescribing connects people to community activities and services to address their practical, social, and emotional needs. It is a key part of Universal Personalised Care. Local agencies refer individuals to social prescribing link workers who create personalised care plans, focusing on individual priorities. These link workers also support existing community groups and help establish new ones. Social prescribing is beneficial for individuals with long-term conditions, low-level mental health issues, loneliness or isolation, and complex social needs. NHS England, in collaboration with stakeholders, has developed a standard model for effective social prescribing.
Social Prescribing in Bolton
The federation has employed a dedicated team to support Primary Care Networks (PCNs), which includes Network Managers and Deputy Network Managers who assist the Clinical Directors with the organisation and project management of the contractual specifications, including the Directed Enhanced Service, such as early cancer diagnosis, support to care homes and medicines optimisation.
The federation also acts as the host employer for the PCNs, employing from the roles available under the Annual Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS), including Social Prescribing Link Workers.
The networks provide the structure and funding for services to be developed locally, in response to the needs of the patients they serve.
We currently support 7 PCNs in Bolton:
- Bolton Central
- Breightmet and Little Lever
- Chorley Roads
- Farnworth and Kearsley
- HWL (Halliwell, Waters Meeting and Lever Chambers)
- Rumworth
- Westhoughton
News
When to refer to Social Prescribing
This is not an exhaustive list, if you think someone could benefit from speaking with a SPLW please refer them, there is always something we can help with.
- Lonely or isolated and want more social connection
- Struggling with depression, anxiety or stress (mild/moderate)
- Wanting to get back into employment or volunteering
- New to the area /country/language barriers
- In need of extra support around the house with things like shopping and cleaning, adaptations.
- Wanting to become more active or make healthy lifestyle changes, we can signpost to smoking cessation digital weight management, Achieve etc.
- Lacking self-confidence
- A carer/care needs
- New parents
- Struggling with issues to do with finances, benefits or housing.
- In need of walking aids, wheelchairs
- Need support managing ongoing or long term illness
- Recently bereaved
Resources
Find support in your local community!
Rumworth Social Prescriber Link Workers
Contact your local Social Prescribers:
Central Social Prescriber Link Workers
Contact your local Social Prescribers:
Contact your local Social Prescribers:
Westhoughton Social Prescriber Link Workers
Halliwell Social Prescriber Link Workers
Contact your local Social Prescribers:
Chorley Roads Social Prescriber Link Workers
Contact your local Social Prescribers:
Breightment & Little Lever Social Prescriber Link Workers
Contact your local Social Prescribers: