LAST WEEK, WE WELCOMED THE LAUNCH OF, NATIONAL VOICE’S NEW REPORT ‘ROLLING OUT SOCIAL PRESCRIBING: UNDERSTANDING THE EXPERIENCE OF THE VOLUNTARY, COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SECTOR’.
NATIONAL VOICES IS THE COALITION OF CHARITIES THAT STANDS FOR PEOPLE BEING IN CONTROL OF THEIR HEALTH AND CARE, AND THEIR MISSION, WHICH IS TIGHTLY ALIGNED TO ELEMENTAL’S, IS TO MAINSTREAM PERSON-CENTRED CARE, ALLOWING PEOPLE TO HAVE AS MUCH CONTROL AND INFLUENCE AS POSSIBLE OVER DECISIONS THAT AFFECT THEIR OWN HEALTH AND CARE – AS PATIENTS, CARERS AND MEMBERS OF COMMUNITIES.
The report, launched on Wednesday 9 September, sets out the findings of research conducted by National Voices for NHS England to explore the perspectives and experiences of the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in relation to the NHS rollout of social prescribing. National Voices heard from over 300 people through a series of interviews, workshops and online engagements between December 2019 and June 2020. You can read the full report here.
Guest speakers at the launch included Kate Jopling (National Voices), Craig Lister (Health Development Manager, Green Gym, TCV), James Sanderson (NHS Director Personalised Care) and Sajid Hashmi (Charity Management Consultant, Bury VCFA).
HIGHLIGHTING THE NEED FOR AN INCREASE IN COLLABORATION, SUSTAINABILITY, CAPACITY AND FUNDING
Whilst the report identifies that there has been significant movement and growth for the Social Prescribing model in communities, particularly during Covid 19, it also highlights that social prescribing requires stronger collaboration, increased capacity, improved sustainability and enhanced funding across all sectors, but specifically for the VCSE ( Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise) sector and those who provide much needed community services and programmes.
“We are driven by a passion for ending health inequalities and we work every day on that mission, to spread the word about the social prescribing movement, the difference it makes to people’s lives, communities and health, social care and other sectors. Building on our years of experience in regeneration and social and economic development, we strive to help organisations to establish, scale, enhance and evaluate the impact of their social prescribing programmes via Elemental’s award-winning portfolio of digital social prescribing products and transformational consultancy services.”
Jennifer Neff. CEO/Co-Founder, Elemental Software
A SOCIAL REVOLUTION IN WELLBEING – HOW ELEMENTAL CAN HELP
“We strongly believe that without a community and voluntary sector that provides the core services that people need to tackle debt, social welfare and isolation, it will be difficult to truly make a difference to people’s lives, especially in these times. Elemental are here to provide the infrastructure to enable social prescribing to be accessible by all that will benefit from it, to help provide the evidence that shows what is working well and to shine a light on projects, people, collaborations that make things happen for the good of community health and wellbeing. We believe this is a powerful route out of health inequality.”
Helen Mc Peake. Strategy and Partnerships Manager, Elemental Software
Not only are Elemental here to provide you with technical connectivity your teams need to strengthen partnership working and reporting on the impact of your social prescribing programme and services, but we’re here to help you source and complete funding and grant applications. We’ll be with you every step of the way.
Give us a call today on 02871 271800 or email helen@elementalsoftware.co to find out more.
ABOUT HELEN MC PEAKE
After graduating with an MSc in Health, Nutrition, & Exercise in 2012, Helen started her career working in the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector. Helen’s first role saw her as a Community Wellbeing Officer (Link Worker) supporting some of the most vulnerable in our communities. Helen’s role developed to Operations Manager and her experience has seen the development and implementation of numerous social prescribing initiatives across Cheshire & Merseyside. Helen has worked closely with the NHS and Local Authority to realise the benefits of social prescribing for patients, communities, and the health and care system. Helen is passionate about social change and the role the VCSE sector plays in driving forward social prescribing.
