Social prescribing - has anyone used the service?

I prefer to walk on myown, it's when I do my best thinking. I'm not allowed in gyms, or rather I'm only allowed to use the treadmill and exercise bike, and they don't really want me because they're worried about insurance liabilities because of my health problems. I hate gyms personally, they're loud, germ laden and smelly and have to many people and even worse competitive people. I've always thought 'why pay to walk on a treadmill, when I'd only have to go and walk the dog, and I can do that for free'. I used to love my skiing machine, but they don't seem to do them anymore, they seem to have been replaced with cross trainers, which I find difficult as I'm not co-ordinated enough and they just don't suit me. But each to thier own. I think for many people who are lonely and feel isolated then doing something like walking with a group can motivate them and they can drop in and out of conversations.

TheCatWoman said:

I think for many people getting out and about is what they need, if they're overweight, depressed and feeling isolated, then going out walking or gardening is a good way to meet people and make friends.

I found joining a gym has worked wonders for my health / weight. Taking the outdoors and groups out of the equation was the key. Give me an exercise machine anyday. For me exercise is a compleatly asocial thing. Trying to make it social just makes it supper akward.

Even when I used to do martial arts the only friends I made were the 3 girls at the club who happened to be into anime.

Oh thanks, I didn't know I could order the site to my choosing.

I had a look at the link, I know the place their always shut, I think they might have been the people who sent two women round to sit in my kitchen with a laptop and show me two smart phones I could buy in either tesco or argos, when I'd asked for help with digital stuff. I see they seem mostly app based, so I won't be using them.

Thanks for looking for me though, it may be that my GP's think I don't have a problem with going out and being active and doing stuff.

TheCatWoman said:

Like I said before though I don't think social prescribing exists here.

I think you’ve missed my reply to you yesterday.

It’s probably at the very bottom or top of this thread, depending on which way you have it ordered. 

Does social prescribing not depend on groups letting GP services know that they exist? I was given a self referal sheet for and ASC group allegedly on Anglesey, I sent it all off and had a snotty reply saying that they'd decided to reply to me despite my having the incorrect referal form, they'd only sent it my GP a few weeks before she gave it to me.

I think for many people getting out and about is what they need, if they're overweight, depressed and feeling isolated, then going out walking or gardening is a good way to meet people and make friends.

Like I said before though I don't think social prescribing exists here.

In which case what is the point of it? I've more faith in google than an NHS case worker to find local social groups.

I know in my area the GPs list a number of groups they refer to for social proscribing and they are all outdoorsy hiking / gardening type groups.

Social Prescribing in concept is an idea that makes a lot of sense - there are existing services within the council funded, and voluntary sectors that might help to improve a person's health and wellbeing. In theory a social prescriber team would have a detailed knowledge of all groups, facilities, and services that are non-clinical in that specific area.

In practise it's a bit of a lottery. It is dependant not only on the services and facilities in your specific area, but also on the knowledge of the team to whom you're referred by a clinician. 

In my case, the team in question wanted to refer me to Citizen's Advice who might be able to help with food bank vouchers (despite me not requiring such). A different time, the social prescriber was very pro-gym memberships and gave me a whole boatload of info on the council run gyms because that would promote better health. Sadly, on that instance, my issues were that the specific issue I was dealing with (and still am) has reduced my capacity to exercise having taken me from 10km walks daily to pretty bad pain when pushing much past 1km.

As I say, in concept the idea is great. They should be services that would point you and signpost you to places you as an individual might not be aware of. In practise, devolution has meant that councils don't all offer the same types (or quality) of services. And sadly some social prescribing teams might not be very well trained or briefed.

Your mileage may vary if you're in a different NHS Trust or council area.

Following fractures of various body parts over the last few years and more, the NHS hospital physiotherapist offered referral to gym membership at the local leisure centre, complete with personal trainer. This was to be free of charge for I think 3 months, and then could continue at a reduced rate. I didn’t hear the words ‘social prescribing’ used in relation to the offer, and I don’t know if Northern Ireland has this option. I didn’t take up the offer as I find gyms noisy and boring. I much prefer being outside in the fresh air.

TheCatWoman said:

I've never been offered it, I dont' know if they do around here

This social prescriber serves Anglesey:

 https://www.medrwnmon.org/community-link

If you’re interested in the service, you can self refer here:

https://sites.elementalsoftware.co.uk/app/WebObjects/ES-QA.woa/cms/anglesey_registerstart1

The social prescriber doesn't run the clubs? They point you to existing groups.

Years ago, long before I was diagnosed and I was really struggling with low mood I was prescribed an exercise class. Virtually everyone else there was elderly and with some mobility issues, I was in my mid 20s and fairly fit, I used to run about 20 miles a week. I didn't mind the exercise but the enforced "dance" warm up really made me cringe.

This lead onto being prescribed mountain biking with a slightly younger crowd of people.

I didn't know I was autistic the time but I didn't think that would be considered even if it was apparent.

I'm aware that my current GPs has a person that does none medical prescribing but I've yet to encounter this service in person.

The problem with social proscribing is it's implimented with a 1 size fits all aproch usualy which is no good for autistic people. You get geeks who spend all their time indoors gameing going to the GP and told to go to the hiking group when honestly a DVD watching club or LAN party club might have been a better fit. But they only have resorces to run one or 2 clubs.

You should be able to access a social prescriber via your GP.

I've never heard of it other than on this forum. How do I access it?

I got social prescribing while on the waiting list for an autism diagnosis, which was a specific prescriber the diagnostic service ran.

I had quite a lot of interaction through my regency dance and tutoring so that side of things wasn't focused on, but he helped me with accessing some mental health services, which relied on phone calls which I couldn't really do. I found him very helpful, and very knowledgeable.

It depends on the area but some of them will go with you to the first few of a new activity to help you feel supported and settled. And often the activities they recommend they will have a specific contact in it who can help you be included and settled.

There are also some who help with things like benefits and alternate accommodations at work or university. I think it is worth trying. A lot of them are really amazing, and you won't know until you try. 

Social Prescribing has been around here for years. I think my area was one of the first to do it. I've not used it myself though, and no one has offered it to me.

When I read about it years ago it didn't seem that appealing. It still doesn't, but I'd give it a go if anyone recommends it to me.

I've never been offered it, I dont' know if they do around here, maybe it's more of a town or city thing? Maybe because most of it seems to be about doing gardening or going to the gym they've not bothered with me as I garden anyway and I walk with Fearn everyday.

Thanks to Bunny for the info about this by the way. Credit where it is due.