Evidencing the growing demand for social support during Covid

ITS NO SURPRISE THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN THE NEED FOR SOCIAL SUPPORT OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS. THE PANDEMIC HAS MASSIVELY PROPELLED THE HEALTH INEQUALITIES GAP AND HAS MEANT THAT HEALTH SERVICES HAVE NOT ONLY HAD TO REPRIORITISE MASSIVELY FOR CLINICAL SUPPORT, BUT ALSO INVEST MORE IN COMMUNITY SERVICES TO HELP SUPPORT THE DEMAND AND NEED FOR NON-CLINICAL ADVICE AND INTERVENTIONS.

Using reports from our social prescribing software, Elemental, we’re evidencing the growing demand for social support from our customers in health, housing, VCSE, local government, education, employability and prison care since the pandemic began last March. Over all, we’ve seen a 115% increase in the amount of people now enrolled in social prescribing programmes since last year:

This meant that 159% more Social Prescribing Link Workers were needed to support the unprecedented demand for community support, or now more commonly known as social prescribing.

Social Prescribing Link Workers give people time, focusing on ‘what matters to me’ and taking a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing connecting them into community groups, programmes, classes, workshops, and statutory services for social, practical, and emotional support.

In simpler terms, a social prescribing link worker is the go-to person for people who need the social prescribing support as they are with you every step of the way helping you to co-design and co-create your social prescribing prescription.

In correlation with social prescribing demand, the number of GPs, nurses, Practice Managers, housing officers and social workers now able to make and manage referrals through Elemental’s platform has risen by 160%.

Whilst there has been a stark rise in the need for non-clinical support over the last 12 months, we’re amazed at how our customers reacted quickly and have enhanced and scaled their social prescribing models to support demand. Whilst the full impacts of Covid may not be known for years to come, we’re proud to be supporting organisations throughout the UK and Ireland who are dedicated to providing support, creating connections into much needed and valued community services, and ensuring those who need social support can get it, when they need it. It’s good to know that our communities are in good hands.

To discuss your plans for mobilising your communities and explore if and how we can help. Get in touch to speak with one of our Digital Social Prescribing experts today or request a demo below.