"Social Prescribing, has really made a difference”
Mick was referred to Social Prescribing, by the Diabetic Nurse at Lockside Medical Centre in August 2022. Mick was allocated to PCN Link Worker for Stalybridge, Mossley and Dukinfield, Liz. Mick had experienced a number of family bereavements in a short space of time and was accessing bereavement counselling. The reason for the referral to Social Prescribing was to create links for Mick to social activities, as he felt isolated following the passing of his mother who he was a full-time carer for. Liz made an initial call to Mick, in September 2022. During that conversation Mick explained that he had always been a very active person which he put down to having been in the military, however, this reduced significantly when he was caring for his Mum.
In the hour-long initial call, Mick explained to Liz that he found it difficult having more time on his hands following her passing, making it difficult to manage the emotional impact of the bereavement. Mick informed Liz, that he had previously enjoyed fishing and had taught young people to fish at his local fishing club. Mick described himself as a very creative person, who enjoyed writing, painting, and playing the guitar. Mick explained that he liked to be busy which, again he felt was due to his military background, he was interested in meeting with other military veterans too and told Liz that he really enjoyed helping people. The Social Prescribing team will focus on what matter to our clients, although Mick’s referral was for loneliness, he also described some financial difficulties, that can be short of money for food and had previously accessed foodbank vouchers; Liz asked Mick if he would like to include connections to financial support too, to help him with his circumstance, Mick was delighted with Liz’s attentiveness and welcomed the links to financial support. Liz sent the following information to Mick and called him 3-weeks later, to review:
• Health and Wellbeing College - Wellness and creative courses
• Curzon Ashton Football Club - Activities for Veterans
• Mossley Writers – Writing circle meeting monthly
• Tackling Minds – Fishing activities for mental health
• Phantasmagoria – Creative activities with mental wellbeing
• That Bread-and-Butter Thing
• Together Pantry
Together, with Liz Mick set himself the goals of reading through the information sent, making a choice about what activities and services he felt would be best for him, contacting the activity organisers and attending one or more activities. In a second review call, Mick explained that he had registered as a volunteer on the Tackling Minds website. Mick had also contacted Phantasmagoria and had attended some of their sessions, in Ashton, also volunteering to support with Phantasmagoria’s children’s activities during half term. Mick worked with Liz for 7 weeks in total, during that time, he had 3 telephone appointments and received 2 emails with further information. Through person centred conversations Mick was able to identify what non-medical support he needed, what activities and services would improve his wellbeing and set personal wellbeing goals. Mick felt happy with the activities he was attending and also felt well enough to pursue returning to work on a part-time basis. The outcome measures used by the team, evidenced that Mick was feeling more satisfied with his life and worthwhile since working with Liz. Mick reported that he was “buzzing” after attending Phantasmagoria for the first time and felt that it was a perfect activity for him to be involved in. Mick recommended the Social Prescribing service to a friend who was having a difficult time. Mick’s friend called Liz and she directed him to refer himself into the service, using the self-referral form on Action Together’s website. During the final session with Liz, Mick was incredibly grateful for his time working with Liz and said that it had “really made a difference."
To find out more about Social Prescribing in Tameside, call the team on 0161 830 6833 Monday – Friday, 09:00 to 16:00 or email us socialprescribing@actiontogether.org.uk
