Social
Prescribing
Connecting people to community groups and statutory services
What is Social Prescribing?
Social prescribing refers to the idea of improving people’s health and wellbeing by putting them in touch with local networks and services, and increasing their active involvement with their local community.
Good social prescribing treats people in a more holistic way, looking at the “whole person” and taking into account social, economic and environmental factors before supporting them to make connections. Good social prescribing improves outcomes and experiences for people, their families and carers, as well as achieving more value from the system.
We deliver the Social Prescribers Service in GP practices across Birmingham and Solihull in partnership with SDSmyhealthcare and their Primary Care Networks. Social Prescribing allows GPs and other care staff to refer patients to a Social Prescriber, based at the surgery. Social Prescribers then work with patients one-to-one (either face-to-face or over the phone), offering direct support and signposting to help them take control of their own health and wellbeing, and help them to increase their active involvement with their local community.
Social Prescribing in Birmingham and Solihull
We work with 11 PCNs and nearly 70 individual GP practices in Birmingham and Solihull, making us the largest provider of NHS Social Prescribers in the West Midlands.
“You listened and didn’t interrupt me like people have my whole life. You asked what I wanted rather than what I needed, and that was empowering. “
—Male client
Total hour of service 22/23 : Birmingham
Total hour of service 22/23 : Solihull
Number of referral 22/23 : Birmingham
Number of referral 22/23 : Solihull
How does Social
Prescribing work?
Referral
The NHS model for social prescribing involves GPs and other primary care providers referring people to a Link Worker.
Connect
Link workers give people time, focusing on what matters to each person, and looking at the bigger picture. They connect people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.
Support
Link workers also support existing community groups and organisations (sometimes referred to as “Community Assets”) to be accessible and sustainable, by referring people to them and working collaboratively with them.
Meet our
Link Workers
Anita Ward
Social Prescribing Coordinator
Emma Finn
Social Prescriber
Khadija Parvin
Social Prescriber
Rangit Kaur
Social Prescriber
Leah Crawford
Social Prescribing Coordinator
Philippa Conran
Social Prescriber
Laura Heslington
Social Prescriber
Sadaf Raja
Social Prescriber
Laura Henvey
Administrator
Lisa Cooper
Social Prescriber
Somia Jamil
Social Prescriber
Sophie Tough
Social Prescriber
Joshua Masih
Social Prescriber
Denise Nolan
Social Prescriber
Nikita Moore
Social Prescriber
Malika Chowdhury
Social Prescriber