£152k grant extends life of Bailiwick Social Prescribing

Launched in 2021, the scheme has already helped hundreds of islanders.

It is designed to improve people’s health by linking them with community-based support for non-medical needs.

Initially funded by the Guernsey Community Foundation for three years, the foundation recently extended its support for a fourth year until October.

Public health services have also provided funding for the project to date.

A £152,000 Social Investment Fund grant has now been awarded to the Health Improvement Commission to extend the scheme until the end of 2024.

The grant will contribute to the costs of the scheme’s link workers, training, marketing and running and will allow more people to access and benefit from its support.

Link worker manager Trish De Carteret was grateful to be able to continue the team’s work for the next two years.

‘Since the scheme launched in summer 2021, we have helped nearly 400 people and have had referrals from 95% of doctors who can refer into the scheme,’ she said.

‘We have seen a real need for the type of support that social prescribing can give, and the difference that it can make to people’s lives. This grant allows us to continue to meet this need. Currently the scheme is a pilot, and this funding means we can complete the time required to examine its initial impact.’

Bailiwick Social Prescribing enables health professionals to refer people to sources of support, usually in the community, to improve their health and well-being, instead of, or alongside, traditional medication or treatments.

Its team of four link workers engages with people with un-met, non-medical needs such as loneliness, isolation, anxiety, housing needs, financial concerns and changes in circumstance, which can be affecting their health.

The link workers listen to the clients and find ways to help, often supporting them to attend groups such as art, singing, physical activity or volunteering.

In addition to funding the scheme’s current work, the SIF grant will allow the scheme to expand by growing referral and community engagement pathways and developing new community classes.

Health Improvement Commission chief executive officer Simon Sebire said it was grateful for the financial support.

‘The grant will allow more people to access social prescribing locally and more evidence to be gathered for the scheme’s feasibility and impact,’ he said.

‘This is vital to inform long term decisions about the role that social prescribing could play as a part of healthcare in the Bailiwick.’

n Bailiwick Social Prescribing can be accessed via GP appointments at Healthcare and IslandHealth surgeries, and via Healthy Minds.

More information at https://bsp.org.gg.