|
LONDON SOCIAL PRESCRIBING NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 12/ December 2021
|
|
 Hello all,
As the year slips through our fingers, I hope you all have some time to breathe out in this last month of the year. You all work so hard and in many cases holding some of the most difficult stories of people's struggles. It is important the wider system knows how you are feeling, and we will be asking you each month by way of a one minute survey! Thanks to over 30 of you completed the first one last month - you can see the fascinating results just below. There are no real surprises, but this services a brilliant leverage - so the more that complete the more accurate and useful it is. You can complete using THIS LINK HERE - it is super quick!
As we are approaching the end of the year it seems to be the right time to reflect on what has been done in our work, how social prescribing has developed and what challenges we are currently facing. As always we are amazed by your achievements and the positive change you make. On Wednesday 8th December, NHS England are running a Best Practice in Social Prescribing: Spotlighting the innovation in the London Region webinar as part of the National Social Prescribing Series. This will be our turn to present some inspiring examples in London. If you haven't signed up yet, you can do it here .
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions, suggestions or innovative ideas related to social prescribing!
Take care,
Lianna Martin & Justyna Sobotka
Signing up to the mailing list
If you know of a new SPLW, Care Coordinator or Health and Well Being Coach that has started in post, please feel free to pass on this newsletter and ask them to sign up to receive news about events, learning opportunities and general updates about social prescribing and other ARRS roles.
|
|
1. Monthly SPLW Temperature Check Survey. Complete. Read more...
2. Peer Learning for London: Social Prescribing for People with Dementia. Sign up. Read more...
3. Peer Learning: Working alongside other ARRS roles (recording and resources). Read more...
4. Best Practice in Social Prescribing: Spotlighting the innovation in the London Region. Sign up.
5. Children and Young People Social Prescribing. Register interest here. Read more...
6. Information for Care Coordinators and Health and Well Being Coaches. Read more...
|
|
|
|
LONDON SPLW TEMPERATURE CHECK
|
|
|
|
SPLW temperature check form. Please complete this month survey here.
Being a Social Prescribing Link Worker is a complex and demanding professional role. Although we hope you enjoy your daily tasks and find the role very rewarding, we are also aware of aspects you may struggle with. Therefore, we would like to gain more insight into your perception of the role. We would appreciate if you could spend one minute every month giving marks to some aspects of your work in this anonymised form
|
|
|
NHS ENGLAND UPDATES, SESSIONS & SUPPORT
|
|
|
|
Every other Wednesday: 1.30pm - 2.30pm
08/12/21: Regional spotlight - London. Sign up here.
05/01/22: Regional Spotlight - East of England
National Maturity Matrix for Social Prescribing
the National team have been working on a Maturity Matrix for social prescribing should be released for review in the coming weeks - we hope to send this on in the next newsletter
|
|
|
 Biweekly, OPEN DROP IN sessions. Sign up here.
Next sessions: Tuesday 14/12/2021: 4.00pm - 5.30pm
This is an open, informal session, where all can offload, discuss the challenges posed by their work and how they are feeling. Whilst practical solutions may be discussed, this is very much a session to grab a coffee, come and 'breathe out'! Attend as many as you like.
 SP Service Managers peer support
Next session: Wednesday 08/12/2021: 4.00pm - 5.30pm
Fill this form to receive a diary invite to all sessions.
These run every month and will be a blend of updates and news from NHSE and your local systems, and smaller group work discussing prevalent challenges coming up in your work. It is a great opportunity to meet other managers and get in touch with the broader context of your work.
 Next session: 12/01/2022: 12:30pm - 2pm
Social Prescribing for People with Dementia. Sign up.
A monthly, pan London session covering a knotty issue that social prescribers are tackling, focusing this time on social prescribing for people with dementia.
Please bring an example of your best practice in supporting people with dementia that you could share with other Social Prescribing Link Workers. It will be helpful if you could share some top tips as well. Feel free to bring your questions or challenging examples as well!
Peer Learning: Working alongside other ARRS roles. Recording and Resources.
This peer learning session is to enable sharing around how the three ARRS roles (Social Prescribing Link Workers, Care Coordinators, Health and Wellbeing Coaches) can work together in primary care.
 Working alongside other ARRS roles presentation and resources - download here.
All past Peer Learning for London sessions and resources are available here.
Please get in touch if you have ideas for future sessions.
|
|
WHAT IS LONDON WORKING ON...
...and how you can support
|
|
|
|
Examples of concerning situations SPLWs are finding themselves in
Thank you to all SPLWs and SP Managers who shared with us their cause for concerns in London. The raw data has been passed on. We believe it would be good to keep the form active and continue to collate, so If you'd like to let us know about concerns related to the SPLW role - the form can be accessed here.
Children and Young People Social Prescribing
Healthy Start vouchers in London
The GLA is doing some work exploring how to increase the uptake of Healthy Start vouchers in London. This will involve developing a theory of change and programme proposal for actions that different stakeholders across London can take to increase uptake in the capital. The work will be developed through two workshops to bring together relevant front line staff and policy leads to develop the ideas for the programme proposal, on December 14th (3.00 - 4.30pm). If you're interested and available to attend and take part in the development of the work please contact Julia and let her know which date you can do. She is on juliacslay@gmail.com
If you also have any case studies or examples you'd like to share of what you have been doing to promote uptake of healthy start vouchers, please send them to Julia by December 17th.
 The University of Oxford research
The University of Oxford would like to formally explore the experiences of social prescribing link workers (from the UK). The research is especially interested in link workers who have prescribed physical activity or exercise opportunities (such as walking groups, exercise classes, falls prevention programmes) to older adults. If you are currently employed as a social prescribing link worker, you are invited to participate in an online video-interview (Microsoft Teams) which will last up between 30-to-60 minutes. The interview will be recorded and the audio recordings will be transcribed and anonymised in preparation for the analysis.
If you are interested and would like more information please contact Beth Fordham at the Rehabilitation Research in Oxford, NDORMS, University of Oxford on beth.fordham@ndorms.ox.ac.uk. There is no obligation to take part.
Please send us your great ideas!
It is also absolutely crucial that you all have the opportunity to shape the support you are receiving and would love to hear what you might find useful or any ideas you may have.
You can use this simple form or email us.
|
|
|
SOCIAL PRESCRIBING
Special Thanks And Recognition
|
|
|
Special Thanks And Recognition to Sonia Frederick, Social Prescribing Link Worker in North Southall PCN - thank you for the extraordinary work and inspiration you bring to your team and our London Social Prescribing community!
 |
“Sonia is an absolute star!! Very supportive colleague who always goes over and beyond, not just for the individuals she supports as a SPLW but also for her team.
Always ready to share ideas that will help the service develop within the PCN. Nothing is too much trouble.
An absolute asset to the SPLW Service. We would be lost without her". |
Sonia Frederick
Social Prescribing Link Worker
North Southall PCN
Ealing GP Federation |
|
|
|
Do you know a Social Prescribing Link Worker, a Clinician or a Practice Manager who does extraordinary work in this field? If so - please let us know so we could publish a Special Thanks and Recognition (STAR) in our London Social Prescribing Newsletter! Please submit your nominations here. |
|
|
THE QUESTIONS YOU ARE ASKING
|
|
|
Many of you get in touch with pertinent questions many other SPLWs are also wondering. We hope to answer the popular ones here... email us to submit any burning questions!
Q11: What are some of the prospective ways I can apply my experience of social prescribing in future jobs?
A11: Social Prescribing, although present in local communities for many years, is a relatively new profession in Primary Care settings. Developing Social Prescribing in your PCN and/or VCSE organisation allows you to apply and develop a wide range of skills that would allow a natural transition to more senior roles within the broader context of Social Prescribing.
Become a Lead SPLW. Growing personalised care teams in PCNs, or borough wide social prescribing services may consider utilising more experienced SPLWs as Leads. Merton recently promoted two of it's SPLWs to more senior roles created by the SP Manager (who devised the job and secured the funding and buy in needed). There are also examples of SPLWs going onto become the SP manager across the borough.
Community development and commissioning. Your knowledge of services and unmet need in the areas you are working lends itself to commissioning VSCE activity and preventative public health more broadly. These roles might benefit from experience in working alongside a community partner to help develop the services they are providing, an understanding of evaluation and impact assessment, partnership building and how to work alongside patients in developing these services (co-production) to name a few. Taking a role as a trustee or board member of a local community organisation may also compliment your social prescribing skills.
Support the development of social prescribing. NHSE, the regional teams and more recently the ICS personalised care teams have advertised for people with experience or knowledge of social prescribing to join their teams. These roles will be advertised on NHS Jobs and likely to require good project management skills, proven track record of creative problem solving and influencing at all levels. An interest in the wider system that SP operates in is needed. These roles are for people who like to tackle the bigger picture. Other national organisations such as National Association of Link Workers (NALW) and National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) also recruit and worth keeping an eye on their websites.
Training and development. Perhaps you have spent a lot of time not only developing your service, but also love inducting and supporting new people. Perhaps a training hub or teaching role may be for you. Bromley by Bow Centre are often looking for freelance trainers who can help develop new training programmes for SPLWs and those involved in social prescribing - keep an eye on Charity Job and their website!
Other roles within health. Other SPLWs have moved on to develop a career as a Health and Wellbeing Coach, Health and Social Prescribing Operations Manager in AgeUK, Frailty Service Lead, or roles looking at the wider personalised care agenda such as personal health budgets.
Are you an ex-SPLW who could share a story about your career development - please email us. We would love to hear about your experience!
|
|
|
 Thrive LDN mental health conversation starter.
Talking about mental health is important, but it isn’t always easy. SIGNSS is a conversation starter tool to support faith and community leaders to engage in mental health conversations with their members.
Led by psychologist and public health specialist Dr Pamela Nkyi and developed through engagement with community leaders across London, SIGNSS aims to normalise conversations about mental health. The ultimate goal is to encourage help-seeking behaviour and signpost people to support.
Download the conversation starter resource (PDF).
 The Five Ways to Wellbeing & Buddhism
“Just as rain breaks through an ill-thatched house, so afflicting passions penetrate a poorly-guarded mind.” Dhammapada, Ch1, Verse 13
The NHS recommends five ways to help improve your mental health and wellbeing. These approaches are all aligned with Buddhist beliefs and teachings.
The Five Ways to Wellbeing & Buddhism has been designed in collaboration with members of London’s Buddhist communities, with the support of The Buddhist Society and in consultation with the Network of Buddhist Organisations.
You can read the full Five ways to good mental wellbeing & Buddhism leaflets in various languages by clicking on the links: English, Burmese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Nepalese, Sinhalese, Thai, Vietnamese.
 Free 24/7 urgent mental health support for young people
The last 18 months have been particularly hard for young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Young people and their families in need of urgent help with their mental health can get free 24/7 support from trained NHS professionals by telephone. The NHS has set up free telephone lines across London for young people in distress, open all day, every day, and staffed by trained mental health professionals. They can provide immediate support, or refer people to other sources of help if needed. Find your local crisis line number here.
 British Gymnastics Foundation: Love to Move
British Gymnastics Foundation called Love to Move, a seated exercise class especially for people with Dementia. The sessions will be running every Wednesday 10-11am. Visit the programme website or contact Cherry at: Cherrytolcher@hotmail.com to get more information
Integrating mental health support: A community round table event - recording.
London Social Prescribing Network Newsletter (for voluntary organisations) Subscribe here.
Monthly news, views, insights and opportunities around London. We encourage you to access the London Social Prescribing Network's extensive, up-to-date list of resources to help you and your practice, including explaining what social prescribing is, useful reports, research and organisations to refer people to.
|
|
|
OTHER EVENTS, WEBINARS AND TRAINING
|
|
|
 07/12/2021, 3.00pm - 4.00pm
Thriving Communities webinar. Sign up here.
Developing the all-age social prescribing offer – Babies, Children and Young People’s social prescribing.
Join us for another webinar in the Thriving Communities series where we will explore social prescribing which supports the younger generation. We will hear from a number of projects in different areas of the country, and there will be an opportunity to contribute to research being undertaken in this subject.
 07/12/2021, 1.00pm - 2.00pm
Personalised Care Institute - Health coaching: advancing your capabilities. Sign up here.
Discover some of the key principles in coaching that can be used to deepen your coaching skills & enhance your effectiveness on this topic.
The webinar will provide participants with an opportunity to:
• Reflect on their current coaching capability
• Consider some key coaching principles that may support greater coaching effectiveness
• Identify opportunities and plan actions to support greater effectiveness in their coaching
 09/12/2021, 2.00pm - 5.00pm
Arts 4 Dementia’s Early-Stage Dementia Awareness Training for Social Prescribing. Sign up here.
The Arts 4 Dementia’s training is designed to give social prescribers insight into the challenges people face at the onset of dementia, their existing skills, and how creative prescriptions can help re-energise and inspire them to preserve identity and stay connected in the community. You are warmly invited to attend the next half-day session, Thursday 9 December, 2pm – 5pm, via Zoom. The nominal £10 ticket fee is fully refundable for those attending the whole session and completing the short evaluation survey.
 14/12/2021, 12.30pm - 2.00pm
Social Prescribing best practice at BBBC and future vision. Sign up here.
This session is ideal for professionals looking to learn from the BBBC Social Prescribing model, and discuss best-practice. It is also an opportunity for colleagues from any sectors who are less familiar with Social Prescribing and wish to understand it better.
 15/12/2021, 10.00am - 12.00
Workshop: Measuring Loneliness Among Migrant Populations. Sign up here.
FaithAction are developing training and guidance for faith and community organisations on social prescribing, and how to measure the effectiveness of loneliness interventions. This will be particularly aimed at organisations working with individuals who speak English as a second language.
Please continue to follow us on Twitter: London Social Prescribing  @SP_LDN and use #LondonSocialPrescribing to let us know about your Social Prescribing schemes/ projects in London!
|
|
|
The Health Inequalities Improvement Dashboard
The dashboard measures, monitors, and informs actionable insight to make improvements to narrow health inequalities. It covers the five priority areas for narrowing health inequalities in the 2021-22 planning guidance. It also covers data relating to the five clinical areas in our Core20PLUS5 approach.
By providing data cut by ethnicity and deprivation, the dashboard will enable the NHS to take concerted action to improve health inequalities.
Accessing the Health Inequalities Improvement Dashboard
The process for dashboard access is through the Equality and Health Inequalities Network – FutureNHS Collaboration Platform. Click on the ‘Health Inequalities Improvement Dashboard’ tab to see a process for instructions of how to access the dashboard.
The dashboard is available to regions, systems, primary care networks, NHS providers and local authorities to see their own local data. A letter was issued to the system on 25 November 2021.
|
|
CARE COORDINATORS
& HEALTH AND WELL BEING COACHES
|
|
|
|
Please pass the following onto any Care Coordinators you know in London!
Join us for the second London Care Coordinator peer support meeting on Tuesday 7th December 2.30pm - 4.30pm: sign up here. We are also running a survey to understand the experiences and support needed from Care Coordinators across London. Survey here.
Calling all Health and Well Being Coaches in London
15/12/2021, 1.00pm: HWBC peer support.
Please join us for London Health and Well Being Coaches' peer support (facilitated by Caroline Haines, Regional Mentor for HWBCs). To attend, please contact Caroline.
If you have any SPLWs, HWBCs or CCs in your network that are not linked up to their regional support then please ask them to fill in this form.
|
|
The Social Prescribing Collaboration Platform is a place for Social Prescribing Link Workers (SPLWs) working with Primary Care Networks (PCNs) to access key documents and updates about Social Prescribing to support you in your role.
SPLWs can also access resources such as webinar recordings, case studies and forums to seek peer support, and link with their regional networks and colleagues. The Collaboration Platform also hosts information relevant to colleagues working as commissioners of Social Prescribing services, PCN staff and ICS/STP staff.
Email england.socialprescribing@nhs.net to join NHS England and NHS Improvement Social Prescribing Newsletter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
