Author: Martin Driver

Southport resident Danny, aged 26, was experiencing anxiety and depression when he found the NHS social prescribing service in Sefton. He shares his story and encourages others to reach out and use the service if they need help.

Social prescribing is designed to help people with their health and wellbeing by linking them in with local services for practical, social, physical and emotional support. After having feelings of anxiety and depression, Danny spoke to his GP and was referred to the service.

Amazing

He said: “The social prescribing service is amazing. It’s not something I had ever heard of, but honestly, without Damian and the service, I don’t think I would have managed to get to where I am now, which is feeling a lot better than I have been.”

After the initial referral, social prescribing link worker Damian contacted Danny and they began having regular chats to talk about his mental wellbeing issues and which local services might help him.

Accomplished

Danny continued: “There are a few ideas that he thought could benefit me, the first one was the Southport Park Run. After doing it with Damian two or three times, I have been back myself since and I have finished it on my own.

“After being in the mindset that I have been in, you don’t tend to think you can do things like that, you’re always putting yourself down. But once you actually do it, and you’ve finished it, the feeling is really great. You feel so accomplished. I’m proud of myself that I managed to do it.

“It’s that personal connection which really helps. They do make you feel very safe, and like you can tell them anything. It’s honestly been a massive help to me.”

Watch Danny talk about his experience with social prescribing below.

Priorities for change

Nikki Williams, senior social prescribing link worker in Southport and Formby said: “Social prescribing is about working with people on wider health and wellbeing needs, so non-medical issues that may be going on in their life, having a chat with them to work out what their priorities are for change, and then linking them in to the appropriate service.

“Social prescribing can cover social isolation, linking people into community groups and getting out and meeting people, but it can also be practical information and referring into specialist services around housing, benefits and support to get back to work.

“I think everybody can benefit from social prescribing. If you’re feeling anxious, depressed, or lonely and think a social prescriber could help you, then contact your GP practice and ask about the service to get help with your wellbeing.”

Below, Nikki explains social prescribing. 

Collaboration

The social prescribing service in Southport and Formby is a collaboration between Sefton CVS and Southport and Formby Primary Care Network.

In Southport and Formby, people can be referred to the social prescribing service by anyone in their GP practice. People can find out more about their social prescribing service and how to access it by talking to their GP practice.

You can use the links to find out more about:

• social prescribing;
• Southport and Formby Primary Care Network;
• Sefton CVS.  

The ‘Living Well’ bus will return to Asda Bootle on Wednesday 11th January to offer Sefton residents all COVID-19 vaccines, including first, second, booster and seasonal (autumn booster) and free health checks.

Asda car park

The bus will be parked in Asda car park from 10:30am-4pm and residents can come along throughout the day with no need to book.

Residents will be able to get up to date with any COVID-19 vaccines they may have missed, including first, second or booster doses and the seasonal (autumn booster).

Those who are eligible to receive the autumn booster include people aged 50 and over, frontline health and social care workers, and those deemed at risk because, for example, they have either a weakened immune system, a learning disability or are pregnant.

Free holistic health checks will also be available for residents aged 18 and over if time and capacity allows, which include a pulse check and blood pressure check, cholesterol and blood glucose check and a BMI check.

Still circulating

Jan Leonard, primary care lead for Sefton at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside said: “A new year is a great time to take steps to boost your health and wellbeing, and we’re reminding residents that COVID-19 is still circulating and the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get up to date with your jabs.

“If you are eligible for a seasonal (autumn) booster and haven’t had a chance to go for it yet, we would strongly encourage you to take up the offer.

It’s also a brilliant opportunity to have a health check which will help to find any hidden health problems and tackle them early on.”

You can find out more about the COVID-19 vaccine, who is eligible, and how to book an appointment online or find other walk-in vaccination sites  here.

Ambulance staff from the GMB and Unison trade unions will go on strike on Wednesday 11 January 2023.

Wednesday’s strike will include staff from across the service, including contact centres and corporate services and will result in fewer ambulances to respond to emergencies, fewer 999 and 111 call centre staff and fewer staff in the patient transport service.

Think before dialling

The North West Ambulance Trust (NWAS) is advising anyone needing medical help on Wednesday 11th  January should think before dialling 111 or 999.

When it’s not an emergency, try the online symptom checker at 111.nhs.uk.

But if someone is seriously injured or ill and their life could be at risk, they should not hesitate to contact NWAS.  

Their focus will be on attending to people with life-threatening illnesses or injuries. Patients with less severe conditions are likely to be asked to seek alternatives as there will be delays to emergency responses.

Find out more about NWAS.