Social prescribing: mapping community resources Social Action for Health September 2013

Social prescribing Social prescriptions will be written for people who might benefit from social activities of their choice because they are lonely, isolated, in stress, struggling with poverty. Social activities: group activity around arts and creativity, physical activity, learning new skills, volunteering, mutual aid, befriending and self-help, support with employment, benefits, housing, debt, legal advice..

Mapping social activity Methodology 8 week research project Health Guides, diverse groups talking to local people at events, festivals, surgeries Following up Questionnaire Contacting surgeries Informal and formal groups Database entry of all

Mapping Progress to date -225 people completed questionnaire -21 groups visited -24 additional groups described -Made contact with 45 practices -7 surgeries responded - 4 said they’d complete GP survey -3 PPGs visited - many were not meeting during the 6 week mapping time frame. Census data gathered per ward Yes, but data coded around each consortium. Coffee mornings held in surgeries -No, too short notice for surgeries. We were not able to get into surgeries for outreach sessions. Not even with an introduction from HIAC. Patient Network consulted -Yes, twice HIAC advisors consulted. -Yes at Advisory group. -We have held outreach sessions at community groups, street festivals, PPGs, churches, Mental Health in-patient wards and schools.

Mapping findings to date - cross culturally, parks feature repeatedly as an important community asset - community hubs such as newsagents and cafés are an important source of local information - churches significant for WB and AC - statutory services that frequently came up are libraries, children's centres and GP surgeries - most people who have spoken to us are from White British, African Caribbean and Turkish Kurdish backgrounds.