Social

Social Prescribing Wellbeing Service

Bluesci provide a social prescribing service to support mental health and wellbeing. This is a way of connecting individuals into local community wellbeing activities that provide health benefits. This may be activities and interventions delivered at one of our four wellbeing centres or elsewhere in the community.

“It’s estimated that one in five of the people who go to see their GP are troubled by things that can’t be cured by medical treatment. GPs tell us that they spend significant amounts of time dealing with the effects of poor housing, debt, stress and loneliness. Many people are overwhelmed and can’t reach out to make the connections that could make a difference to their situation.”

This is especially true for people who have long-term conditions, who need support with their mental health, who are lonely or isolated, or who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing” (Why does social prescribing matter? An induction guide for social prescribing link workers in primary care networks. 2019)

Bluesci wellbeing centres provide local wellbeing activity with good links to the community working in partnership with a broad range of partners. These activities can be prescribed by local GPs’   or accessed by individuals calling into the centre direct.

Each centre is staffed by Bluesci Wellbeing Practitioners and volunteers who provide lifestyle, health & wellbeing support and interventions. Devising clearly defined prescriptions connecting the individual &/or family/carer to Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG), activity and opportunities within the local community.

Key to success is strengthening relationships and joint working with local partner agencies including community and voluntary sector groups. Bluesci centres engage with the diverse community and in doing so build stronger community relationships between the community and the Health services. This in turn identifies a broad range of local wellbeing prescriptions that provide health benefits to Trafford residents.

Wellbeing Practitioners:

  • Ensure that people are supported to locate services and opportunities that meet their needs.
  • Develop and coordinate peer support / volunteer opportunities. Signpost/refer to services and opportunities as required.
  • Work collaboratively with those accessing the service to ensure that they are effectively advised and signposted/referred to interventions and opportunities that meet their needs. (Making Every Contact Count MECC [RSPH 2020/1])

  These may be any of the following:

  • Friendship Groups in community groups/organisations
  • Lifestyle changes (diet & exercise, health checks, Access to IT, Green space, cycle paths)
  • Debt & benefits IAG
  • Practical help (Problem solving)
  • Motivational support and personal planning
  • Self-help & Self-management (Via evidence based resources)
  • Provide a holistic approach including consideration of the Five Ways to Well-being
    • Connect
    • Be Active
    • Take Notice
    • Keep Learning
    • Give

Bluesci use the free to use  ELEMENTAL social prescribing platform (licence purchased by GMCA) to receive referrals and also to connect individuals to social prescriptions. If you are a community group in Trafford and provide wellbeing activities contact us and we can support you to be listed on ELEMENTAL and receive social prescriptions.