What does a Social Prescribing Link Worker do?

Social Prescribing Link Workers (SPLWs) spend time working with people to connect them with local community activities and services that can improve their health and wellbeing. 

A vital part of their role is building relationships with the people they support helping by listening carefully to what matters to them and what motivates them. 

Social Prescribing can help people to access to a wide range of non-medical and informal support based in the community, such as:

• Social groups, friendship / emotional support
• Support for families, carers, and other close relationships
• Practical support or advice services, eg housing, benefits, or financial issues
• Ways to become more active or look after our health
• Opportunities to build confidence, learn new skills, or reduce anxiety
• Arts, music, or other creative activities
• Getting out and about

SPLWs are based in local voluntary and community organisations, or doctor’s surgeries across the whole of Lincolnshire.

Social prescribing works best when:

• People’s health needs are managed/stable
• People are willing to talk about self-care or want to make some changes
• People understand what it is and have agreed to a referral
• People would benefit from some sort of non-clinical service, social activity, information or support

Overview of social prescribing in Lincolnshire

A recent webinar recording is available for anyone wanting an overview of social prescribing in Lincolnshire.  This could support the induction of new staff, or be used as refresher for those already in post (time required approx. 1.5 hrs) – Click here for Personalisation Huddle.

Make a referral

For most health and care professionals, referrals to social prescribing service can be made via the LVET website using a secure online form. Visit https://lvet.co.uk/social-prescribing.

If you have access to SystmOne or EMIS within primary care, you may also be able to refer directly from a patient record using the ‘Social Rx’ button.  If you can’t see this button yet please contact hello@lvet.org for more details.

At the moment the social prescribing service in Lincolnshire is only open to adults (18+).

Other useful links

For care navigators and anyone who needs to signpost people to community-based support:

Connect to Support – info on a wide range of organisations/services.

HAY Lincolnshire – find community-based mental health support.

Wellbeing Lincs – up to 12 weeks support for eligible adults to achieve confident, fulfilled and independent living.

One You Lincolnshire – for services to help people lose weight, quit smoking, drink less or move more.

Carers First – support for unpaid carers.