Social Prescribing Network (SP

People are living longer and as they get older, developing long term health conditions. Their health is affected by a wide range of factors including: employment, housing, debt, social isolation and culture. These factors are not generally affected by traditional health interventions.

There is a growing crisis in primary care. There are fewer doctors but an increasing demand on their services. The NHS England 5 Year Forward View calls for a radical upgrade in prevention and public health, and greater engagement with people and communities to harness the energy and potential they have. Social prescribing presents the NHS and local authorities with an opportunity to do this. It helps people to make use of existing community services, resources and facilities which can help them manage or overcome these social factors. Social prescribing can help to improve the health of local people, the quality of care and services and the productivity of the NHS as part of Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs).

There are now over 400 social prescribing projects affiliated to the Social Prescribing Network. This event will provide you with an insight into the rich diversity and opportunity that social prescribing offers to promote well-being. Michael Dixon (NHS England’s Social Prescribing Champion and Chair of the College of Medicine) will update us on where social prescribing fits with policy developments in the NHS. Dr Marie Polley (Co-chair Social Prescribing Network) will outline the different models of social prescribing identified through the SPN’s audit of practice. Helen Edwards (Gloucester CCG) and Gary Deighton (Forest of Dean District Council) will report on how they developed a county wide social prescribing programme in Gloucestershire. Other network members will present evidence of impact and their experiences of developing different approaches to social prescribing. We will also have an opportunity to reflect on how we move social prescribing agenda forward in the South West.

You are invited to take part in an event organised by Dr. Richard Kimberlee from the University of the West of England, the Social Prescribing Network (SPN) and the University of Westminster and Social Science and the City to inform South West stakeholders about the potential of social prescribing and how to support its local implementation and success.

To register your interest for this event please write to the Network via: [email protected].

Also as part of Healthy City Week 2016, the West of England Nature Partnership is hosting an evening event: A Natural Health Service: Developing partnerships. Join them to explore how nature and health partners are working together to deliver integrated and improved health outcomes. From green prescriptions to woodland wellbeing, inspiring young people and empowering elders, discover how nature can help shift the focus from illness to lifelong wellness.

Hear directly from those involved in specialised nature and health care and the positive impact it can have on people’s lives, from those living with dementia, to children and young people, for improving mental health and physical activity – nature has something for everyone and could be a longer lasting and sustainable approach to wellbeing.… Naturally!