Lots of things can affect our health and wellbeing. Our finances, family life, physical health and lots of other factors can have an impact on our mental health.

People often visit their GP because they may be feeling stressed or worried, or because they feel lonely and isolated, but these problems can’t always be fixed by a doctor alone.

That’s where social prescribing can make a difference. 

Our social prescribing link workers, who are based in GP practices, can help you work out what can make a difference and connect you to practical and emotional community support.

Who is this service for?

Social prescribing could help you if you have difficulties in your life that are affecting your health.

To access our support you must be

  • aged 18+
  • Registered with a GP in Teesside

What we can do to help you

We can support you to improve your health and wellbeing by helping you identify what will make a difference and introducing you to community services in your local area.

Our link workers take the time to build a trusting relationship with you, starting with understanding what matters to you, and then together you can create a plan that will connect you with community support.

We aim to

  • listen to you and understand your circumstances without judging
  • reduce loneliness and isolation
  • provide quality holistic and person-centred support 
  • provide information about services and activities that might benefit you
  • identify when you need further help and help you to contact other organisations
  • go with you to initial appointments and meetings to help ease you into a new environment

This short video is a great way of understanding how we can help you What is social prescribing? - YouTube

How do we deliver this service?

We can support you in the location that’s best for you. This may be your GP practice, our offices, at a community outreach location, or in your own home.

The service is open to any patients registered at these GP practices

  • Acklam Medical Centre
  • Borough Rd & Nunthorpe Medical Group
  • Coulby Medical Centre
  • Crossfell Medical Centre
  • Discovery Practice
  • Eaglescliffe Medical Practice
  • Endeavour Practice
  • Erimus Practice
  • Foundations Medical Practice Acklam Rd
  • Foundations Medical Practice Harris Street
  • Hirsel Medical Centre
  • Kings Medical Centre
  • Linthorpe Surgery
  • Martonside Medical Centre
  • Newlands Medical Centre
  • Park Lane Medical Practice, Stillington
  • Park Surgery
  • Parkway Medical Centre
  • Prospect Surgery
  • Thornaby and Barwick Medical Group
  • Thorntree Surgery
  • The Village Medical Centre
  • Westbourne Medical Centre
  • Yarm Medical Practice

How can you access this service?

You can ask anyone in your GP practice to refer you to our team. 

You don’t have to have a consultation, the reception team at the practice can do this for you.

If you’re struggling to be referred for any reason, then you can call us on 01642 257020 and we’ll help you with your referral.

Resources you may find useful

We know how important it is to have clear information or somewhere to turn quickly when you need some extra support.

So, here are links to other sources of information that may be useful for you.

Our Five Ways to Wellbeing guide shows the little ways you are able to make a difference in your life.