How SPRING Social Prescribing is continuing to support communities across Scotland and Northern Ireland during Covid-19

SPRING SOCIAL PRESCRIBERS ACROSS SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND HAVE ADAPTED HOW THEY COMMUNICATE AND SUPPORT CLIENTS WITH THE CO-PRODUCTION OF HEALTH PLANS NOW ADAPTED TO FORM THE REMOTE “CONNECT WELL” SERVICE.

Following the government guidance- advising social distancing, all Social Prescribers were advised to stop all face to face visits with clients. The new “Connect Well Service” provides remote assistance and support to all clients. It is important to ensure people feel connected and supported.

There are 34, Social Prescribers working across Scotland and Northern Ireland, serving 28 communities in socially deprived areas. Each Social Prescriber contacts each and every client by telephone, text or video link every week.

Social Prescribers are making over 900 calls per week to clients and have recorded thousands of support interventions, as many people are reporting heightened levels of anxiety, poor mental health, problems with accessibility to health, food and financial problems. 

An ongoing support link has been set up with GP practices across Scotland and Northern Ireland. Referrals to the programme are open and SPRING Social Prescribers are on-hand to provide much needed help and guidance throughout this challenging time.

SPRING Social Prescribing Project Manager Danielle Keenan said: “We have adapted the SPRING model and have launched a new “Connect Well” service to provide support to our clients during lock-down. We have also introduced additional training and mental health support for our staff to ensure that they too, feel supported and empowered to work throughout Covid-19.Elemental has been an integral part of our reporting system in SPRING Social Prescribing. The platform will help us get a specific picture of the needs and issues arising during lockdown, which give us an invaluable insight into the needs of our community and also a projection on the future demands on services.”

We caught up with Sean Mc Farlane, Social Prescribing Co-ordinator at Your Voice in Inverclyde to see how he and his team are continuing to support their communities. Press play on the video below to find out what Sean had to say:https://www.youtube.com/embed/fK1FHC9ocDI?feature=oembed&wmode=transparent

ADAPTING QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY

Clare Cook, Regional Manager, SPRING Scotland, said: “Our Social Prescribing team have adapted quickly to the new Connect Well service and have already linked many clients to essential services within our community. The role of community led health is more vital now than ever. Our delivery partners are rapidly responding to their community’s needs. The role of Social Prescribers has had a huge impact on the daily lives and mental health of our clients, who are extremely grateful for the support.”

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