Social Prescribing
Social Prescribing helps to connect people to their community and local activities to improve health and wellbeing
Our Social Prescribing Link Worker helps to support the non-medical needs of patients at Karis Medical Centre, ensuring holistic care of those experiencing complex challenges
Karis Neighbour Scheme and Karis Medical Centre share a Social Prescribing Link Worker (SPLW), ensuring that patients' medical and non-medical needs are supported for those coping with multiple challenges.
Our Social Prescribing Link Worker builds relationships with multiple partners including the practice’s Health Coach, working with patients with chronic ill health, and utilises ‘Green Prescribing’ - getting people out into nature and reducing isolation to improve mental health wellbeing. She forges connections with those caring for people with dementia working alongside relevant organisations such as the Alzheimer's Society, local dementia cafes etc. She helps patients to make connections to other useful resources and activities in the area.
"Firstly I wish to commend the Karis Medical Centre for approving this Initiative as a means of supporting individuals and families with care support needs. I particularly appreciate the awareness that it’s not just the individual that requires the support to have a meaningful and emotionally supportive experience when dealing with their condition, it is indeed the family that is also impacted by their condition and daily challenges.
I wish to commend your interaction and inclusion of not only my mum but with each member of the family during our consultation meeting. Your approach was caring and genuine, as well as professional and knowledgeable. We actioned many of your recommendations and have had further information and insights as a result of the Care associations you recommended.
Thank you for this invaluable service, the impact is enormous to those in our situation, we certainly felt less isolated and for once seen as individuals doing our best to deal with a situation we never anticipated. Your role is indeed vital and essential as more families find themselves having to provide care and support for loved ones with dignity.”
Feedback from a client's daughter, 2026
The important principle of Social Prescribing is that the support is personalised - meaning the Link Worker takes time to listen and get to know and understand the person's needs. This allows our SPLW to identify the right support, helping individuals overcome barriers they may have experienced in accessing help. In practice, this could mean help with sorting out finances, or in becoming more socially connected to improve mental health, being more active, becoming healthier or living more independently. Working together to create a plan that is shared helps patients to take ownership and be in control of their lives, helping individuals to lead a happier lifestyle.
If you would like to meet with our Social Prescribing Link Worker, and are a patient at any of the medical practices listed below, please ask for a referral from your GP.
Participating medical practices:
Karis Medical Centre
Bath Row Medical Centre
The Wand
