Social Prescribing Team

Some young people need professional social and emotional support during challenging times in their lives. Social Prescribing Workers aim to give that support through creative, social and sporting activities in the community.

Below is an FAQ to help young people to better understand what it is all about and what to expect once they have been referred. It is also designed to inform parents and other family members.

Who is this service for?

Young people aged 11-25 who are referred by one of our partner organisations. We help young people who are feeling stressed, overwhelmed or low and would like help to improve how they feel.

How do you make a referral?

Through one of our participating partners: COLA Highgate Hill, Paediatric Rheumatology (Whittington), Paediatric Diabetes (Whittington), Healthy Living Service (Brandon Centre), the School Wellbeing Service, and a range of GPs (Village Practice, Hanley Primary Care Centre, The Rise Group Practice, Killick Street Health Centre, City Road Medical Centre, St John’s Way Medical Centre, Goodinge Group Practice and the North and South PINCs).

We hope to open this service to self-referral later this year.

FAQs

Do you have to take part?

No. It is completely voluntary.

Are parents/carers involved?

Children under 13 must have parental consent. Everyone aged 13-15 should discuss this with their parents. For 16-18s then it is up to them to decide whether or not to involve family.

Does this cost anything?

The support we provide is completely free. The activities are also usually free. If an activity has a cost, we can apply for funding.

Can Social Prescribers help with serious mental health issues?

No, we are not a clinical service and we can only support with low level emotional wellbeing difficulties. The referring partner should direct you to the Social, Emotional and Mental Health pathway if you are under 18 and need mental health support, or to iCope if over 18, or you can self-refer to either.

What happens if I am referred to the Social Prescribing Team?

Within one week of receiving the referral from one of our partners, we will be in touch.

• Support is flexible to meet your needs and we start by getting to know you, what you like, and what you might need support with.
• We can meet you at youth hubs or other community spaces like cafés or parks - wherever you feel comfortable. We can meet in person, talk on the phone, have video calls or message.
• Together we will plan some activities to help with your goals.
• We will act as a link person to arrange things and attend with you if you like.
• We’ll regularly check in and chat about how you are doing.
• The number and frequency of meetings depends on you - we initially plan to work with you for 12 weeks then review.

What kind of activities could I be linked to?

Our team focuses on the benefits that social, creative and sporting activities can bring you and what you want the next steps in your life to be.

The list below is a general guideline with more things being added all the time.
Arts | Archery | Baking | Basketball | Bike Maintenance | Book Clubs | Boxing | Coding | Cooking | Crafts | Circuit Training | Dance | DJ Workshops | Environmental Workshops | Filmmaking | Fitness classes | Gaming | Gardening | Gym | Drama | Football | Multi-sports | Music | Music Production | Photography | Podcast Production | Robotics and AI | Singing | Tennis | Woodwork | Yoga

Your worker will hear your ideas and will support to find an activity that you are interested in or something similar.

How can I ask a question that is not listed?

You can email wellbeing@isledon.co.uk or you can come to our fortnighly drop in sessions