Social Prescribing
Take control of your own health!
Social Prescribing Wandsworth is an exciting new service delivered by Enable in partnership with GP practices in the Wandsworth borough, Wandsworth Council and the voluntary and community sector.
What is Social Prescribing?
Social Prescribing supports you to take control of your own health by connecting you to support within the community. It is a new initiative introduced by NHS England as part of their long-term plan to improve personalised care.
Social Prescribing involves meeting with professionally trained Link Workers, who give individual time to focus on ‘what matters to you’ and take a holistic approach to health and wellbeing.
This could include supporting with things like managing stress, loneliness, finding social groups, learning new skills, physical activity or getting information on employment, benefits, housing and legal advice.
What does a Link Worker do?
Link Workers are based within GP practices and can spend up to 45 minutes on individual consultations. During consultations, Link Workers will:
- Explore what is important to you and your current wellbeing
- Identify the local activities or services that you might benefit from
- Support and encourage you to start using services that can help them
- Provide ongoing support and motivation through follow up appointments
Social Prescribing is designed to support in ‘non-medical’ ways, providing practical support that can make a real impact on your health and wellbeing.
How does Social Prescribing benefit our service users?
How can I access Social Prescribing?
The following practices take part in Social Prescribing Wandsworth, delivered by Enable:
If you are registered at a GP practice below and would like support from a social prescribing link worker, please discuss the service with your GP, who can make a referral.
| Balham Health Centre |
| Bedford Hill Family Practice |
| Streatham Park Surgery |
| Tooting South Medical Centre |
| Open Door Surgery |
| The Greyswood Practice |
Social Prescribing for Wandsworth Adult Social Care
In addition to our GP Link Workers, our Link Workers work alongside the front door access teams, social workers and occupational therapists in Wandsworth Adult Social Care.
This service helps people stay independent and connected through early intervention, linking them to local activities, practical support and community services that make everyday life easier while reducing the need for formal care.
These Adult Social Care Link Workers support residents across the borough and help them to access community support and improve their health and wellbeing. This service can be accessed via those in the Wandsworth Adult Social Care team.
Voluntary and Community Groups
Social Prescribing helps people in Wandsworth access the amazing support that is available within the community. Wandsworth has a vibrant voluntary and community sector which hosts a wide variety of services and activities. Social Prescribing aims to support these existing community groups and work collaboratively to connect our community to these organisations.
If you’re a voluntary or community group in Wandsworth and would love to get involved in Social Prescribing or to receive referrals from our Link Workers, we’d be delighted to hear from you at socialprescribingenable@enablelc.org; just download and complete the Quality Assurance form (via this link) and attach it to your email.
Does Social Prescribing help?
Emerging evidence shows that Social Prescribing can lead to a range of positive health and wellbeing outcomes, such as improved quality of life and emotional wellbeing. In addition, research shows that social prescribing can reduce the amount of GP appointments and hospital admissions.
Click here to find out more about the benefits of social prescribing.
Get in touch
Please contact us for more information on 02039590031 or email socialprescribingenable@enablelc.org