Who does social prescribing in North Cumbria?

Many different organisations host roles which fit the description of a ‘social prescribing approach’ in the North Cumbria area – the council, GP practices and voluntary or community groups.

 

District-level role mapping

The North Cumbria Social Prescribing Delivery Group has compiled some guides to the various different services in each former district (Allerdale, Carlisle, Copeland and Eden).

They are not exhaustive lists and if you would like to add any roles on, or update existing entries, fill out this online form.

Updates will be made 4 times a year (March, June, September and December).

For more information contact the Health Partnerships Team at Cumbria CVS (sarah.penn@cumbriacvs.org.uk) where you will also be able to request the details of link workers in your area.

 

GP practices/Primary Care Networks

The bulk of the roles sit within the primary care system – this is a network of GPs and other services you would access through a GP practice. They are mainly funded through something called the ‘Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme’ allocated by NHS England. Sometimes the GP practices employ them directly, other times they contract another organisation to provide a social prescribing service.

Copeland Haven PCN: Wellness Team by Copeland Haven PCN | Facebook
Copeland Alliance PCN: Social Prescribing by Copeland Alliance PCN | Facebook
Workington PCN: Workington Personalised Care Team | Workington | Facebook
Keswick & Solway and Eden PCNs Wellbeing Service: Wellbeing Service | NHS Physical Health Psychology Cumbria
Maryport Health Services: Meet the Team – Maryport Health Services
Castlegate and Derwent (Cockermouth): Care Coordinators and Social Prescribers
Longtown Medical Practice: Homepage – Longtown Medical Practice
Carlisle Healthcare: Carlisle Healthcare

 

Local Authorities

Both local authorities (Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness) also employ people who coach to improve health and wellbeing including a social-prescribing type approach. Health and Wellbeing Coaches can work with clients for up to 6 months, often supporting someone through complex challenges. The Cumberland Social Prescribing service is a small team of community connectors who offer low-level signposting, and manage the Joy App website.

Cumberland Council Health and Wellbeing Coaches: Request support to improve your health and wellbeing | Cumberland Council
Cumberland Council Social Prescribing: Get wellbeing support through social prescribing | Cumberland Council
Westmorland and Furness Health and Wellbeing Coaches: Health and wellbeing service | Westmorland and Furness Council

VCFSE

The VCFSE/third sector are a natural home for this type of role – indeed this sector is a pioneer of person-centred, community-based support. Roles may be generalist or specific/specialised around certain experiences, for example unpaid carers, addiction, older adults.

Barnardo’s LINK Social Prescribing: Cumbria LINK – Young People’s Social Prescribing Service | Barnardo’s
Third Sector Referral Coordinators at Cumbria CVS: Third Sector Referral Coordinator Team | Cumbria CVS
Together We Maternal Link Workers: Carry – TogetherWe
Work Well North Cumbria: Work Well North Cumbria