SPRING Social Prescribers

Leading Healthier Lives

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SPRING Social Prescribers

Our SPRING Social Prescribing Link Workers can help you make positive changes to your lifestyle to improve your health and wellbeing.

If you are someone with a long-term health condition and is struggling with motivation, pain and lack of purpose, our SPRING team will help you focus on the positives and connect you with local community services and resources, such as support groups and activities to keep you motivated and lead you towards a heathier lifestyle.

Collaborative Care Team | General Practice Alliance

Length of Intervention

SPRING is a long-term service and can work with you for up to 12 months.

We will work with you to find out ‘what matters to you’ using a holistic approach to understand your needs and requirements and explaining the local services and resources you could benefit from in your area, so that you are empowered to lead a healthy, purposeful life.

Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible for this service if you fall within the criteria, and you wish to make changes:

  • You are 18 years+
  • You are living with one or more long-term physical health conditions
  • You have a social need e.g., social Isolation, low socio-economic background, poor mental wellbeing
  • You are motivated to make a change
  • You have managed care needs
  • You are not currently in a crisis
  • You can independently access the groups/activities that we connect you with
  • You can work with us for up to 6-12 months

How do I get referred?

If you want to make a change, you can self-refer to the SPRING service. To access the self-refer form, please click here or scan the QR code.

After we receive the referral, one of our team will contact you as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Once we have received your referral, you will be contacted within five working days to discuss next steps.

We use a mixture of face-to-face visits, telephone, or video call consultations. If you have a face-to-face appointment, it will either be held in a community space around Northampton or local cafes. We will let you know the location, date, time when we get in touch. We do not do any home visits.

If you find that the service is not the right fit for you, do not worry! It is essential to evaluate whether a service aligns with your needs and preferences, it is OK to switch to another service, and find a solution that works best for you.

We introduce and link you to activities, groups and services that can help make change possible.

What is the difference between this service and the Social Prescribing Link Workers?

Social Prescribing Link Workers SPRING Social Prescribing
  • You are 18 years+
  • You are 18 years+
  • You feel lonely or isolated
  • You are living with one or more long term physical health conditions
  • You are experiencing complex social needs which affect your physical and mental wellbeing
  • You are experiencing social needs e.g. social isolation, low socio-economic background, low mental wellbeing
  • You are motivated to make a change
  • You are motivated to make a change
  • You frequently attend primary or secondary health care for non-medical issues
  • You have managed care needs
  • You experience low mood and anxiety *Not in crisis
  • You are not currently in Crisis
  • You are independently able to access groups, activities, and services
  • You are independently able to access groups, activities, and services
  • You are willing to work with us for up to 6 months
  • You are willing to work with us for up to 12 months
  • You can only be referred into the service by your GP practice
  • You can self-refer only from the SPRING website
  • We are based in GP practices
  • We are based in the community
  • Your client review will take place at 3 months
  • Your client review will take place at 6 and 12 months

Case Study

Story

A SPRING client, a woman in her fifties, previously worked part-time until her chronic pain and mobility challenges led her to take extended sick leave in her job. She was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and struggled to manage her condition which led to severe depression.

Goals

During her initial meeting with her SPRING SPLW, she explained how she felt isolated, inactive, and feels like she has gained a lot of weight since her diagnosis. She wanted to increase her social interactions, get fitter, move more, meet new people, and feel like her old self again.

Solutions

The SPRING SPLW recommended the client to visit Fitness Without Boundaries Gym in Northampton, specialising in accessible exercise for people living with long-term conditions. They also connected her with the West Northamptonshire Weight Management Programme and explained that she might be able to receive a free six-week Slimming World course. Finally, they referred her to Living Well Occupational Therapy services for seated yoga sessions to help her meet new people.

Outcomes

After six months, the client met a lady at the Living Well Seated Yoga sessions, who she now meets up with twice a week in a park, local to their homes. Together, they have formed an exercise group with six regular members to help others with the physical and mental health. The client explained that working with SPRING SPLW helped her focus on what she can do, instead of what she cannot do and now she is in a much better place physically and mentally.

Patient Testimonials

"It's so good meeting people who you identify with. The woman's swimming group helped me come away with increased confidence and a more positive mood."
"My SPRING Social Prescribing Link Worker really listened to what I would like to achieve. It's really given me a purpose in life."

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