Social Prescribing started in Shropshire in 2017, and is part of the NHS Long Term Plan. The NHS has committed that at least 900,000 people will benefit from Social Prescribing by 2024. Find out more about personalised care.
Social Prescribing is a non-medical programme designed to help people with a wide range of social, emotional or practical needs. This may include those who may be;
Caring for someone who cannot manage without this help
Living with a long-term health condition
Wanting to change their lifestyle e.g. giving up smoking or losing weight
Feeling worried or anxious
Feeling lonely or socially isolated
How does it work?
Social Prescribing uses a person centred, preventative approach by intervening early, before problems start to escalate. In Shropshire, people referred have the space to talk one to one with a trained Social Prescribing Advisor and come up with a plan of action together, to help resolve health and wellbeing concerns and help put the person back in charge of their life.
Connecting people back to a service or activity in their community is key to social prescribing, and this comes through referring people to local voluntary and community based groups or activities.
Find out the how our Social Prescribing Programme in Shropshire is making a difference to local communities across the county by clicking here.
Where is it offered?
11 GP Practices are able to offer Social Prescribing to their patients, and it is currently available in six areas of the county:
Albrighton
Albrighton Medical Practice
Bishops Castle
Bishops Castle Medical Practice
Bridgnorth
Bridgnorth Medical Practice
Ellesmere
Churchmere Medical Group
Oswestry
Plas Ffynnon Medical Centre
The Caxton Surgery
Cambrian Medical Centre
Shrewsbury
Claremont Bank Surgery
Marden Medical Practice
Radbrook Green Surgery
Severn Fields Medical Practice
Can I self-refer?
Not at the moment. People access the service through referral from their GP, other health and social care practitioners, the voluntary sector and other partners such as job centres. Please see the map above.
Social Prescribing Directories
Social Prescribing Directories have been developed in partnership between Shropshire Council and QUBE, as part of the Shropshire Social Prescribing model. The aim is to help GP Practices and other organisations find information about community activity and groups in their locality.
The Oswestry and Ellesmere directory can be found by clicking here. Other directories have been developed and will be added to this page as soon as they become available.
We asked our staff and partners what they think about being part of this exciting movement which supports individuals, families and communities to take more control over their health and reduce their risk of chronic disease. View what they had to say here.
Our Social Prescribing Lead, Jo Robins took part in a 20 minute interview, where Social Prescribing in Shropshire was discussed.