Your doctor isn’t the only person who can help you feel better. There are many things that can affect your health and wellbeing, not only medical issues. When non-medical issues arise you may be referred to a Social Prescriber. The North Shields Social Prescribing team aims to offer support with your health and wellbeing and can help to connect you to a range of services.
Social Prescribing in North Shields is an NHS service, funded by North Shields Primary Care Network and delivered in partnership with Adapt (North East).
Read more about social prescribing or watch this short animation to find out more.
How we support you
There are many things that can affect your health and wellbeing, not only medical issues. In these situations, a Social Prescriber may be able to help.
A Social Prescriber’s role is to help you to address the non-medical issues in your life that may be having an impact on your health and wellbeing.
Our main role is to connect you to appropriate forms of support from voluntary and community organisations and sometimes from NHS and other statutory services. Where needed we can work closely with your GP practice and other services involved in your care, in order to best support you.
Once a referral has been received your Social Prescriber will contact you to arrange an assessment of your needs and priorities. They will then work together with you to make a plan to support your wellbeing.
The intensity of support you receive will depend on your individual needs. You will initially have up to eight sessions with your Social Prescriber and you can choose to stop receiving support from the social prescribing team at any time.
Your Social Prescriber, with your consent, will have direct access to your medical records. This means they will be able to communicate effectively and work closer with your health care team to ensure you are provided with the best of care for your health and wellbeing.
We can speak to you on the phone or meet in person to:
- Discuss any issues you are facing
- Explore what is important for you
- Find local services and activities
- Give you support to access them
Services to help you feel better
We can help you access a variety of services which may include:
- Housing, benefits and financial support and advice
- Employment, training and volunteering
- Education and learning
- Healthy lifestyle advice and physical activity
- Arts, music, outdoor and creative activities
- Befriending and counselling services
- Emotional support groups (such as professional or peer-led support for specific circumstances or conditions)
Eligibility
To access the Social Prescribing service you need to:
- Be over the age of 16.
- Want support with non-clinical issues that are impacting your health or wellbeing.
- Want to engage with a social prescribing approach to improve your wellbeing.
- Be a registered patient at one of the following GP practices:
- Collingwood Health Group
- Nelson Health Group
- Priory Medical Group
- Redburn Park Medical Centre
- Spring Terrace Health Centre
How to access the service
You can be referred to the Social Prescribing Service by your GP practice or you can self-refer into the service.
If you wish to request a referral to a Social Prescriber then please speak to any member of your GP practice team or download, complete and return the self-referral form.
If you are a health professional you can refer an individual to the service via our third-party referral form.
For further information, or if you need help to self-refer, please contact the North Shields Social Prescribing Team directly on nencicb-nt.ns-socialprescribers@nhs.net.
