Social Prescribing

Page updated on: 01/07/2024

Social prescribing is a service that puts you in touch with a wide range of local services and activities in the community to help improve your overall wellbeing.  

Social Prescribing is a way of connecting people whatever their age or background, with their community to help manage their health and wellbeing.  

Social Prescribing can help empower individuals to recognise their own needs, strengths, and personal assets and to connect with their communities for support with health and wellbeing.

Sometimes patients visit their GP for reasons other than medical issues because of not knowing where to get support for social issues, which has a negative impact on their health.

Sources of support are available in local communities which can play an important role in improving someone’s health and well-being alongside clinical care .

The services are often provided by people working and volunteering in the third sector or independent sector, complementing the role played by statutory organisations.

Social prescribers are based in GP practices and act as connectors between healthcare providers and local community resources.

By participating in community-based activities and connecting with others, individuals can experience:

Social prescribing has shown results in:

enhancing wellbeing

supporting self-management of chronic conditions

reducing healthcare costs by focusing on preventive care and early intervention

 

Social prescribers are based in GP practices and act as connectors between healthcare providers and local community resources.

They have knowledge of services, organisations, and activities within the community that can support your health and wellbeing. 

A social prescriber is someone:

You can talk to confidentially

Who is practical, helpful and will not judge you

Who can help you decide, which groups or activities would suit you best

Who can find you suitable groups or activities

Who can support you along the way

A social prescriber will take time to listen to what matters to you and will guide you to access appropriate support and services.

Prescribed activities can vary, ranging from:

Arts and crafts workshops

Gardening

Exercise classes

Support groups

Volunteering opportunities

Nature-based therapies

In order to be eligible you must be:

aged 18+

registered with a GP in Carmarthenshire

not be in crisis. 

If you are in crisis, please contact your GP as soon as possible or 111 #2

In Carmarthenshire Social Prescribers are based in GP practices and can be accessed via a referral.  Referrals can be made through:

A Self-referral

A Referral from GP Practice

A referral from a Social Worker

A referral from an organisations working with people

You can make a referral to the Social Prescribing team by completing the following link: Referral Form

As soon as the team receive your referral, they will pass this to a Social Prescriber who covers your GP Practice who will then contact you to arrange an appointment.