What's new: Social Prescribing Link Workers & new AUKI Helpline
Published on 07 February 2020 05:45 PM
Social Prescribing Link Workers
When you next have an appointment at your GP practice, look out for our two Age UK Islington Social Prescribing Link Workers, Elaine and Charlene, who are now ready to support local GP practices and their patients.
The Link Workers work across 14 GP surgeries in two of the Primary Care Networks within the borough of Islington. Primary Care Networks are new, and are made up of groups of GP practices working closely together with other health and care organisations so that they share resources and services, to better support local residents. An important part of the scheme is building a stronger relationship with the support that's available from voluntary and community sector organisations.
GPs will be able to refer any patients that need help and guidance with things that are non-medical, such as debt, housing issues, or social isolation, via their Link Worker. Patients will then be able to benefit from the full range of support available from Age UK Islington, as part of our normal Wellbeing in One service. Its an exciting development, and one which can bring much needed additional support to overloaded GPs.
According to a recent BMC Public Health article (22 Jan 19), 20% of patients consult their general practitioner (GP) for primarily social problems and 15% of patients visit for welfare-benefits advice.
Age UK Islington Helpline
Following on from the closure of Drovers Activity Centre on Friday 31st January last month, we’d like to remind people that the Age UK Islington Helpline is available for any queries to do with social activities or to obtain general information and guidance about a broad range of issues, e.g. housing or money issues, transport, mobility, looking after you, your home, support for carers, end of life planning and lots more – 020 7281 6018.
The Helpline can provide answers to simple information requests, as well as connecting you to specialist support from our network of partner organisations, or for one to one support from Age UK Islington.
You can also book our Get Together activities via the Helpline. Find out more about our network of activities taking place in partner venues around the borough - bowling, sugarcraft, needlecraft, IT drop-ins, and more in our latest Get Together magazine.