National Academy for Social Prescribing

Today is #LinkWorkerDay24, celebrating the achievements and impact made by Social Prescribing Link Workers! It's estimated that 1 in 5 GP appointments are for non-medical issues. Hear how link worker Simon works with GPs like Dr Sekeram to support patients with social issues, such as housing, loneliness, relationships or debt. Find out more about how Social Prescribing Link Workers can support the work of GPs and take pressure off the health system: https://ow.ly/fWrU50ROM6Z Merton Connected

Discover how Warrington Voluntary Action supported hospital discharge and reduced readmissions. VCSE link workers were integrated with hospital discharge teams in Warrington and Halton. Through their work they reduced hospital readmissions, supported recovery planning, population health and reduced health inequalities. Click the link to read the case study: https://ow.ly/XXra50SxEOr

We’ve relaunched the Social Prescribing Around the World Report! 🌍 This updated report by NASP features the work from countries in the International Social Prescribing Collaborative. Find out more about how social prescribing is being implemented globally. We’ve added seven new countries to the report, including Nigeria. There are also two new sections on: ✅ Health inequality, health equity and health justice ✅ Social prescribing in low-middle income countries Click the link to read the report: https://ow.ly/Ucoa50StyNN

New training to support Older People facing financial hardship. NASP and Independent Age have joined together to offer Link Workers bespoke training on supporting Older People facing financial hardship. Co-designed training will cover: ✅Attendance Allowance ✅Pension Credit ✅The social implications of financial hardship for older people Click the link to find out more, see the dates available and sign up: https://ow.ly/Zi4B50SvkLH

Creating the culture for social prescribing to thrive in Walsall. Walsall Together tells us how they have brought together a partnership committed to high-quality social prescribing that responds to the needs of communities. Walsall Together set out to change the culture around social prescribing. They used a consolidated approach to social prescribing across the borough, with the aim of promoting wellbeing, addressing health inequalities, and enhancing the position of the VCSE sector. Read this case study to find out more: https://ow.ly/loGC50StBex

Sign up for this free conference on the 9th September at the Royal Society of Medicine in London! Organised by the Royal Society of Medicine and NASP, 'Medicine and Me: How social prescribing is revolutionising the way we look at health and wellbeing', will explore how social prescribing can support patients to improve their health and wellbeing, with an emphasis on the function that it provides within a healthcare setting. Gain an increased understanding of the role that social prescribing has in providing a truly person-centred approach within health by exploring the evidence, case studies and innovations across the country. Click the link to sign up: https://ow.ly/qsMN50StvTb

Did you miss our last webinar? Catch up now. In this session, 'Supporting people through NHS Volunteer Responders – how the service can be an effective social prescription'. Find out more about the programme, how referrers have been supported by it and how you can make a referral. Hear examples of how NHS and Care Volunteer Responders have met the needs of referrers and supported Social Prescribers, and how to connect to the provision in your area. Watch now: https://ow.ly/eWTb50SrFKn

Find out how South Yorkshire Housing Association have worked closely with people with lived experience of multiple issues to develop a diverse set of positive activities to support their wellbeing. During this project people with lived experience helped to both design the programme and select the activities that would be funded, resulting in an offer that meets the needs of groups who suffer severe health inequalities. Read the case study to find out how this was achieved, the challenges, how they overcame them and the results: https://ow.ly/ipoR50R7qck

Are you a Children and Young People Link Worker - Join The Big Conversation! NASP want to understand the breadth and depth of children and young people's social prescribing in England. Your responses will inform our strategic work in the field over the coming year.  Complete the survey: https://ow.ly/7ou750Spago #CYP #SocialPrescribing

Prof Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard has accepted a new role as National Chief Medical Officer at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, starting in October 2024. This means that she will be standing down from her role as Chair of NASP’s Trustees later this year. Recruitment for a new Chair of Trustees will begin in the coming months. Jonathan Badyal, Director of Communications at Universal Music UKand one of our current trustees, will be our interim Chair from October 2024. Click the link to find out more: https://ow.ly/k9k750SoXyp