A week in the life of… a part-time social prescribing link worker

I meet my next customer in the park. She has never really gone out since the pandemic and this has had an impact on her mental health. Her doctor has told her she needs to lose weight and watch what she’s eating, as she is pre-diabetic. We decide at the start of her visit to go for a walk to help her achieve these goals.

My next customer is a new referral. Unfortunately, he doesn’t answer the door and is not answering his phone. This does happen sometimes, as customers can be nervous about the service until we have built a rapport. I will keep trying, and leave a calling card.

Tuesday 

I drop off a Move-It card to a customer who suffers with pain in her bones and isn’t managing her diabetes too well. The card gives Walsall residents reduced-price access to council leisure centres. She is on the right path now, but I thought swimming could help her health and the card will give her the opportunity to go more often.

My next customer is a new sign-up who is feeling isolated because of his social anxiety. He does not like leaving the house, but feels social prescribing may encourage him. I complete an assessment of his health and well-being and then create an action plan to help him achieve his goals. This includes walking in the local park, with a target to then meet up with other people.

Wednesday 

My first customer of the day cares for her husband and has been struggling to manage by herself. She is feeling quite overwhelmed and emotional. I sign her up and contact a colleague who will work with the council to get some aids and adaptations in her home that will make life easier for both her and her husband.

Thursday

I spend the morning in the office to catch up with my paperwork and join a team meeting where we talk about the Social Prescribing Day we are holding in March. We are hoping to invite all 442 customers we have supported over the past two-and-a-half years, to celebrate how far they have come and encourage them to chat to others who found themselves in a similar situation.

Then I have a lovely afternoon at the MindKind Wellbeing Centre, as I often refer customers to this mental health support service and want to see for myself what they do.

Friday

I have customers booked in all day.

My first needs help with her HomeSwapper account, as she’s looking to move. She has been to a local MindKind support group, where she has made friends with another one of our customers. Things are looking up, as her involvement in this community group is helping her feel less lonely and isolated. 

My second customer of the day also tells me he is feeling more positive and has started to take his granddaughter fishing.

Through social prescribing we aim to sustain tenancies by addressing factors that have the power to cause homelessness. Simple things like supporting a customer to make their house a home and connecting them with their communities can make a real difference. A great week all round!