Information for Bromsgrove GP Practices
What is Social Prescribing?
Social Prescribing is a mechanism to refer patients from primary care with social, emotional or practical needs to non-clinical & non NHS sources of support within the community provided by Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) and other statutory agencies.
Why do we need Social Prescribing?
Evidence suggests that people are more likely to attend sessions and activities with a community or voluntary organisation if a healthcare professional refers or advises them to attend. Evidence also shows that it can improve health and well-being outcomes and reduce inappropriate use of GP time and patients reliance on prescription medication. Other benefits include reducing social exclusion and health inequalities through the increased uptake in community activities & support.
How does it work?
A healthcare professional may have a patient who presents themselves with issues that are non-clinical (either social, emotional or practical needs) which are either having an effect on their health or mean that they present themselves at primary care because they have don’t know where to go.
The healthcare professional will then be able to talk to the patient and recommend an activity or programme provided by a voluntary or community sector provider (see list of providers) and then directly refer the patient to that service.
Referrals are made through the EMIS Web system by choosing the ‘Social Prescribing’ service option.
The referral form then provides the option of which VCS provider you wish to refer the patient to. Please note these referrals are then sent to a secure nhs.net email accounts that the VCS providers have. (*NB The referral can only be sent if the patient has provided consent.)
Benefits, Debt, Employment, Legal, or Housing
Bromsgrove and District Citizens Advice Bureau (also including Redditch Services)
The CAB provides the advice people need for the problems they face in their lives, offering impartial practical, legal advice and information on
how to address concerns to effectively manage a situation. Services are targeted towards full supportive advice for those who are most
vulnerable and in need of our services. The level of assistance that we provide will depend on the needs of the client and can vary from advising
and providing self-help guides to negotiating and representing clients.
We provide free, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.
The CAB covers all aspects of:
• Debt
• Benefits
• Housing
• Employment
• Family and relationships
• Consumer
• Immigration
The CAB can:
• Give time to explain
• Help with a phone call
• Letters written
• Benefits checked
• Help with forms
• Support with court and tribunal matters
• Help negotiate with creditors
• And much more
Inclusion / exclusion criteria: We give help and advice to anyone living in the Bromsgrove and Redditch area.
Telephone: 01527 579775 Email: [email protected]
Support for Older People, including befriending
Age UK Bromsgrove and District
Age UK Bromsgrove and District provide supportive services to local people over the age of 50 in Bromsgrove and District.
These include:
Domestic help
Repairs to your home
Equipment loan
Telelphone befriending
Well Check Assessment
Over 50’s MoodMasters Sessions
Information and advice
Age UK Bromsgrove & District offers information on a wide variety of issues concerning older people. If clients would like some help they can pop
in to the office or contact us on the phone.
For further information click here.
Age UK also offer a range of activites for people over 50 including:
Social Arts and Crafts
Bring your own materials and share your interests over a cuppa. This group meets on a Tuesday morning from 10.00am - 12.00pm. There is a
small charge per session, plus refreshments as required.
Computer Club
This group is open to people interested in using computers to email, edit photos, word process and more. Members learn over a cuppa,
supported by a volunteer tutor. Most members bring their own laptop but we have a few computers for loan, and WiFi broadband is provided.
Gentle Exercise
We all know that there are many benefits to exercise. But many older people are discouraged because they don't know how much exercise they
could manage, or are put off by the idea of gyms. If that includes you, then you could start with one of our Gentle Exercise groups. All of the
exercises are seated in a group, to various types of music The classes are run by a trained leader and are great fun and sociable.
Footcare Service
If you are over 50 and in good general health,but unable to manage looking after your own feet, we hold regular footcare sessions in central
Bromsgrove where trained volunteers provide a toe nail cutting service.
Active Lives
What our service can offer - A regular telephone call for a friendly chat, a listening ear, weekly guidance and encouragement incorporating
MoodMasters. A weekly short-term, time-limited arrangement with a dedicated volunteer to provide company to local activities, such as luncheon
club, doctors surgery, or using public transport to help regain confidence and independence. Develop confidence and social interaction providing
company for key activities such as exercise activities, participate in hobbies, crafts, monitor diet and eating, internet/computer skills and record
family history. Links to other services.
Inclusion / exclusion criteria: Anyone aged over 50 and live in Bromsgrove and District.
Telephone: 01527 871 840 Website:
www.ageuk.org.uk/bromsgrove
Email: [email protected]
Get Active
Redditch and Bromsgrove Leisure Team Redditch and Bromsgrove Leisure Team will be able to advise and direct patients to a range of leisure opportunities that can suit their needs.
This is not personal training. Some of the leisure activities/classes will be free; however, some may involve a small fee.
Advice can be provided regarding physical activity options for:
• Children and Young Adults
• Adults
• Older People
• Disability Sports
• Holiday Activities
Activities include:
Healthy Horizon activity referral scheme - 6 weeks courses run at the Dolphin Centre includes lifestyle advice, gentle to moderate
exercise and full use of all services. Must be referred from GP or health profession.
Souper Mover – fun mobility for the older person designed to keep you fit & supple.
N-able – exercise & tai chi for the older person
Walks for health - free
Mobility classes – improve mobility, flexibility, strength and balance. Classes in Wythall, Rubery, Alvechurch and Bromsgrove
Strength & Balance for Falls Prevention – 33 weeks course for those how have a history of falls or have a fear of falling. GP and self-
referral
Telephone: 01527 548203 Website: www.redditchbc.gov.uk/things-to-
do/sports-fitness.aspx
Email: [email protected]
Get Creative
Redditch and Bromsgrove Arts Team
The arts and events team delivers and a range of art activities and events across the whole year for all the community to get involved in and
actively take part. Most of the art activities and events will be free; however, some will involve a charge.
Events include the bandstand and street theatre events, Morton Stanley Festival and the bonfire and firework events.
Alongside this we run a vibrant youth theatre at the Palace Theatre and actively support the arts community and art organisations across
Bromsgrove and Redditch to provide local residents with a range of art activities they can engage and get involved with.
Advice can be provided regarding art activities and events for:
Children and young adults
Adults
Families
Older People
Holiday activities
Activities included are:
Access to and contacts for local art organisations
Craft activities and workshops
Drama, including young people
Drawing and painting
Heritage projects
How to run your own event pack and advice
Public art sites and locations
Shindig – Theatre in the community
Singing
Theatre performances
Volunteering
Local art forums for Bromsgrove and Redditch
Telephone: 01527 881381
Email: [email protected]
Support for Carers
Worcestershire Association of Carers
Worcestershire Association of Carers (WAC) offer a range of practical and emotional support services for unpaid adult carers to help in their
caring role. Services include:
Free practical training sessions
WAC offer a range of easy-to-access
practical information sessions that are held
in venues across the county and are run by
people who understand the difficulties
carers sometimes face. From benefits
advice to useful tips and techniques around
the physical and emotional aspects of
caring for someone, the sessions are all
designed to help carers feel more confident
in their caring role.
They can also help if transport or arranging
respite care might prevent carers being
able to attend.
Carer groups
Carer groups provide a chance to take time
out, meet with other carers who understand
what caring is like, share information, make
friends and chat. Each group is run by and
for carers and is supported by WAC.
Telephone support
Carers are matched with a trained
volunteer who can call them on a regular
basis to offer confidential befriending
support over the phone.
Face to face support
Carer Support Advisers provide one-to-one
personalised support when someone need
additional practical or emotional assistance.
They offer face-to-face appointments,
which can take place at the GP surgery or
in a person’s home and develop a plan to
support the areas where someone might
need extra help.
Caring News Magazine
Caring News keeps carers up-to-date with
news and information relevant to their
caring role.
Information guides
Information guides that give practical
details and easy-to understand advice on
coping with many of the aspects of being a
carer.
Carers Emergency Card
WAC can provide Carers Emergency Card.
Carers can carry it with them and should
they have an accident or be taken ill it will
immediately let immediately let people
know that someone is depending on them.
It features their details and the number of
the 24 hour Redditch Lifeline who will have
their details and know who to contact and
what to do in an emergency.
Telephone: 01905 751354 or 01905
751356
Website: www.carersworcs.org.uk Email: [email protected]
The Living Well Service
The Independence Trust
The Living Well Service, run by the Independence Trust aims to support individuals in the most deprived areas of Worcestershire in changing
their behaviour. The aim is to support them to improve and strengthen their physical and emotional wellbeing.
Aims of the service: is to:
• Promote independence, self-care and keeping well for life
• Build community capacity through the development of local peer support and volunteering activity
• Promote healthy weight and maintenance of healthy weight
• Supporting the reduction in Obesity and Chronic Diseases
• To strengthen individuals, families and communities physical and emotional health
What will the service offer to individuals?
Focusing on an individual’s strengths, an assessment will be undertaken and in partnership with the individual a personal action plan will be
developed.
The team will work with the individual in:
• Focusing on their strengths and what they feel they are able to achieve
• Offer informed practical advice to support individuals in making changes
• Exploring potential or perceived barriers they feel may prevent them from engaging and explore strategies to remove these and who
else can help.
• One to one structured intervention
• Facilitated access to other organisation/community services that can offer support to the individual to build on their strengths and
confidence.
• Work in partnership with other local providers to increase the offer to individuals in supporting them to make sustained changes
• Follow individuals up after 3, 6 and 12 months from exiting the service.
Benefits of the service:
• Individualised packages of support
• Build on aspirations and ambitions
• Increase personal strengths
• Supporting in developing strategies to reach and maintain a healthy weight
• Facilitated access to community groups and organisations
• Improved emotional well being
• Increased self-reliance and resilience
• Support in accessing and becoming peer supporters
• Supported access to volunteering opportunities
Where do we work?
The Living Well team work in venues and localities that are suitable, accessible and agreed with the individual, including GP practices and local
community venues.
What is the criterion for referral?
Anyone who is 16 years or over living in the following areas:
• Bromsgrove (Charford, Marlbrook and Sidemoor)
• Redditch (Batchley, Winyates, Greenlands, Abbey, Churchill, Central, Lodge Park, Matchborough, Headless Cross and Oakenshaw)
It is also available for people aged 16 years and over who have a BMI of 30 plus and one or more of the following:
• Physical Inactivity
• Poor Diet, Mental Health issues
• And
• Pregnant women with a BMI of 30 plus
Telephone: 01905 675850
Email: [email protected]
Bereavement Support
Primrose Hospice
Family Support services are available to all affected by a loved ones death. Primrose Hospice offer bereavement support to all who require
psychosocial and practical help, or just a “listening ear”. When someone dies it can have an impact on every aspect of life, the family future and
working life, finances and financial security. Feelings, beliefs, homes and aims in life can feel turned upside down.
Primrose offers emotional support to adults, children and young people through the Family Support Team.
Adult Family Support
Eleven trained volunteers make up the two Adult Family Support Teams. The teams are supervised at Primrose by the Family Support Team
Leader. The volunteers see people in their own homes or at the Coppice Centre if the person prefers.
The Family Support Team offers an empathetic ear to support people on their journey through the different stages of bereavement.
The service can work with individuals or support the family together. Our Family Support service can support families through this extremely
difficult time, and we will try to ensure we provide a service which meets each family's individual needs.
Children’s Family Support Team
The Children’s Family Support Team consists of seven volunteers, all of whom have a background working with children, and in addition have
received specific training in listening to and supporting children at times when a special person in their life has died. The team will usually visit the
child in their own home, or if more appropriate within another setting, ie the childs school or at the Primrose Centre.
Counselling Team
The Primrose Centre offers a Counselling Service to anyone who has suffered bereavement. Counselling can help people explore and make
sense of confusing and difficult thoughts and emotions, and can be especially helpful at a time when affected by loss.
The Counselling Team consists of a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Accredited Counsellor, along with qualified
volunteer counsellors and student counsellors on clinical placement. All the counsellors have supervision in line with BACP requirements.
There is no time limit on when counselling can be accessed. The service can be accessed immediately after death through to weeks, months
even years later.
Following an initial assessment, there is sometimes a short wait before a counsellor becomes available. There is no charge for accessing the
Counselling Service and all sessions are confidential.
Telephone: 01527 871051 Website:
www.primrosehospice.org/primrose_bereav
ement_service
Email: [email protected]
Dementia Advice and Support
The Alzheimer’s Society Worcestershire
The Alzheimer’s Society in Worcestershire can provide a range of advice and support for people affected by dementia (Including carers, partners
and family members) including:
• Range of peer support groups
• 1-2-1 dementia support
• Information
• Courses - Carers information and support, living well with dementia, dementia friends information sessions
• Activities
• Understanding and living well with dementia
• Resources - Information; factsheets; books; ebooks
• Signposting
• Local and national helpline
Telephone: 01905 621 868 Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk Email: [email protected]