With all the current worries about the cost-of-living, link workers in GP surgeries offer vital help, signposting people to support in their community. Kelly Walker is one of them. Working across three GP practices in Merton’s award-winning social prescribing team, Kelly is dedicated to improving the lives of local people.
What are the main worries people have at the moment in Merton?
In these challenging times we are seeing an increase in people seeking financial advice and asking about employment support. These issues have replaced isolation and housing as some of the top concerns. We listen as people voice their worries. Often, we find they did not know about local grants and all the food support on offer in Merton. This winter we are linking them up to the warm spaces, where they can find welcome company and hot drinks to cope in winter.
What is social prescribing?
I would describe it as the connection between GPs, the NHS and our community and voluntary sector. We link patients in with local support to meet their needs. I might link them in with organisations or training to learn new skills to improve their mental health and wellbeing. It could mean offering guidance on accessing therapy services or groups where they can get peer support. We have referrals from people experiencing difficult situations including domestic violence, poor housing or caring responsibilities, who may not know where to turn.
How does social prescribing work?
GPs refer people to me if they think would benefit from our service. I meet them and talk about their wider needs, their interests and how they feel they could improve their lives. Part of my role is to build partnerships with community services and keep up to date with what they are offering.
We receive a lot of referrals from people needing financial advice. With some funding from the NHS, we have seconded a financial capability advisor from South West London Law Centres, who comes to Mitcham twice a week. All our social prescribing patients can book a slot. This advisor can help with debt advice, benefit advice and income maximisation and we have received a lot of positive feedback that this service is available free to patients.
Could you describe how social prescribing works in practice?
I worked with a mother of four children who had been homeless for four years, staying at family and friends’ homes. She told me how her family used to shower in swimming pools and had to resort to eating takeaways as the kitchen space was overcrowded. I referred her onto mental health services so she could talk about her challenges and get professional support. I contacted the local MP to seek advice on housing. One of her children was autistic and I linked her into a local group. I also referred her to a women’s group for friendly support.
Eventually she was housed, and I checked that she and the children had the help they needed while the situation was resolved. She told me she felt really relieved to have someone at the end of the phone with all the struggles she faced. We find that the most important thing for people is to have someone available, who they can to talk for an hour and who can listen and explore their needs
Any more examples?
Recently an older lady had moved into the area and did not know anyone. She felt lonely and had some physical needs and had some weight issues. She did not know what social prescribing was. I built up a relationship with her and found her the right support. I linked her with Wimbledon Guild, which offers quite a lot of services for older people and a walking group.
Over time I linked her in with OneYou Merton who offered advice on getting active and with sleeping as she was unsettled with the move. She made friendships in the community and built up her confidence, so she no longer needed our support. She does not need to visit the GP so much now.
What’s the best thing about your job?
I really enjoy my role and get a lot of satisfaction from seeing the progress we make together with our clients. I work with the person at the beginning of their journey, which is often a crisis moment for them. Over time we build up a good relationship – and trust. It is wonderful seeing how their lives can flourish with the right support so they can feel more fulfilled. In the past year we have found 79% of our patients improved their wellbeing and 74% saw a fall in their anxiety. Our programme is evidence-based and has been clinically evaluated by experts at Oxford University, and I see every day how effective it is.
How did you become a social prescriber?
I have a background working in health and social care in many different areas. I have managed nurseries and have supported people with learning difficulties, drug and alcohol needs and young carers. My manager recommended this social prescribing role and it sounded a new and exciting service I wanted to be part of.
With all the current worries about the cost-of-living, link workers in GP surgeries offer vital help, signposting people to support in their community. Kelly Walker is one of them. Working across three GP practices in Merton’s award-winning social prescribing team, Kelly is dedicated to improving the lives of local people.
What are the main worries people have at the moment in Merton?
In these challenging times we are seeing an increase in people seeking financial advice and asking about employment support. These issues have replaced isolation and housing as some of the top concerns. We listen as people voice their worries. Often, we find they did not know about local grants and all the food support on offer in Merton. This winter we are linking them up to the warm spaces, where they can find welcome company and hot drinks to cope in winter.
What is social prescribing?
I would describe it as the connection between GPs, the NHS and our community and voluntary sector. We link patients in with local support to meet their needs. I might link them in with organisations or training to learn new skills to improve their mental health and wellbeing. It could mean offering guidance on accessing therapy services or groups where they can get peer support. We have referrals from people experiencing difficult situations including domestic violence, poor housing or caring responsibilities, who may not know where to turn.
How does social prescribing work?
GPs refer people to me if they think would benefit from our service. I meet them and talk about their wider needs, their interests and how they feel they could improve their lives. Part of my role is to build partnerships with community services and keep up to date with what they are offering.
We receive a lot of referrals from people needing financial advice. With some funding from the NHS, we have seconded a financial capability advisor from South West London Law Centres, who comes to Mitcham twice a week. All our social prescribing patients can book a slot. This advisor can help with debt advice, benefit advice and income maximisation and we have received a lot of positive feedback that this service is available free to patients.
Could you describe how social prescribing works in practice?
I worked with a mother of four children who had been homeless for four years, staying at family and friends’ homes. She told me how her family used to shower in swimming pools and had to resort to eating takeaways as the kitchen space was overcrowded. I referred her onto mental health services so she could talk about her challenges and get professional support. I contacted the local MP to seek advice on housing. One of her children was autistic and I linked her into a local group. I also referred her to a women’s group for friendly support.
Eventually she was housed, and I checked that she and the children had the help they needed while the situation was resolved. She told me she felt really relieved to have someone at the end of the phone with all the struggles she faced. We find that the most important thing for people is to have someone available, who they can to talk for an hour and who can listen and explore their needs
Any more examples?
Recently an older lady had moved into the area and did not know anyone. She felt lonely and had some physical needs and had some weight issues. She did not know what social prescribing was. I built up a relationship with her and found her the right support. I linked her with Wimbledon Guild, which offers quite a lot of services for older people and a walking group.
Over time I linked her in with OneYou Merton who offered advice on getting active and with sleeping as she was unsettled with the move. She made friendships in the community and built up her confidence, so she no longer needed our support. She does not need to visit the GP so much now.
What’s the best thing about your job?
I really enjoy my role and get a lot of satisfaction from seeing the progress we make together with our clients. I work with the person at the beginning of their journey, which is often a crisis moment for them. Over time we build up a good relationship – and trust. It is wonderful seeing how their lives can flourish with the right support so they can feel more fulfilled. In the past year we have found 79% of our patients improved their wellbeing and 74% saw a fall in their anxiety. Our programme is evidence-based and has been clinically evaluated by experts at Oxford University, and I see every day how effective it is.
How did you become a social prescriber?
I have a background working in health and social care in many different areas. I have managed nurseries and have supported people with learning difficulties, drug and alcohol needs and young carers. My manager recommended this social prescribing role and it sounded a new and exciting service I wanted to be part of.