How Social Prescribing is Helping People in Gosforth and Jesmond
Today is Social Prescribing Day – a great time to talk about how we help people in our community.
Our team work with all GP practices in Gosforth and Jesmond. We’re part of Gosforth and Jesmond Health, who provide extra NHS services to patients.
Here’s a bit more about who we are, what we do, and how we can help.
What is Social Prescribing?
Health is about more than medicine. Stress, loneliness, housing problems, and money worries can all affect how we feel. That’s where social prescribing helps.
Our team listens to you and connects you with support. This could be activities, groups, or services that improve your wellbeing. Whether you want to get active, find a new hobby, manage stress, or meet new people, we can help.
Social prescribers can also help with practical tasks like applying for Blue Badges, accessing Attendance Allowance, or getting home adaptations. They can guide you through the paperwork, answer questions, and connect you with the right services.
Their support can make everyday life easier, so you can focus on what matters most to you
Meet the Team
Our Social Prescribing Link Workers (SPLWs) are based in GP practices across Gosforth and Jesmond. Each of us brings different skills, but we all have the same goal – to help you feel better.
The Difference We’re Making
Social prescribing makes a real difference.
One way we can tell is by using a mental wellbeing scale. It has seven statements about thoughts and feelings, and patients reply on a 1-5 scale (from “none of the time” to “all of the time”).
So, the higher the score indicates better well-being. Doing this as part of every chat helps us track people’s progress.
The results speak for themselves:
- 77% of patients felt better after several sessions.
- 75% felt better after just one appointment.
- Those who improved saw an average increase of 18.1% in their wellbeing scores.
These numbers show how much social prescribing can help.
Our Work
One-on-one planning is at the heart of social prescribing, helping people find the right support for their unique needs. These personal conversations build trust and allow us to connect patients with activities and services that truly make a difference.
But group work is just as important – bringing people together to combat loneliness, build confidence, and create a sense of community.
At the same time, projects focused on health inequalities help us understand and address the barriers some people face in accessing support.
By combining individual care with group connections and wider research, we can create real, lasting change.
Could Social Prescribing Help You?
If social prescribing could help you or someone you know, ask at your GP practice. A member of our team will chat with you to find the right support.
On Social Prescribing Day, we celebrate the fantastic support in our community. We are proud to be part of it – and we’re here if you need us!