What is social prescribing.....

When I think of social prescribing an old song comes to mind. “Two steps forward one step back”. Wherever you look social prescribing is the current go to, for the local health and community organisations. Personally I'm not against it. If you follow my blogs you know my mantra has always been not I but US/WE. Which in essence follows the essence of social prescribing.

I see social prescribing as just another arm to the philosophy of community care. It's not new and anyone who is taking that band wagon thinking it is the fix to some major issues needs to be careful. Yes it may help but it's not new. It's something that we've had and have merely forgotten. 

Behind all the rhetoric, and plans it’s only going back to a time, when people and communities actually thrived. Going to local groups, or meeting up and talking, being involved at a local level not just for yourself but the good of the community is something we already had.

Unfortunately in the rush to have more for ourselves, we lost the ability to be socially aware. Humankind has always been a social animal, its existence and growth works best when we all work together for the benefit of the group. Every person is valued and has an important input. We can and should all participate and get something out of it.

For social prescribing work properly the people need to see results. On my internet feeds I read a lot of tweets and posts about social prescribing yet I'm not seeing a lot of actual examples or actually showing how it's making a difference. Update - 03/22 starting to see some good examples but to few to see if it's making a difference at the moment

It is easy to say its local based, we've referred them to this or that charity or organisation for support. Which is great but where the evidence that what people need is is being delivered. From my management background I learnt that if it isn't measurable and can’t show value then it's not doing the job.

Personally I think rather than coming up with new words. Let's just say what it is. People need to be more connected with each other and actually be considerate of each other. So you want to do your part on social prescribing as our Adults Social Care director Glen Garrod said in a recent news post. Let's just go and check on each other. But let's take it one step further, not just on your elderly neighbour but on your family, siblings, and friends. Just get involved and start caring, talking and getting together.