whg achieves gold standard for customer support

• 18th March 2021

Awards

A team of whg colleagues have achieved gold status for their work to support the health and wellbeing of customers.

The Social Prescribing team received gold level accreditation with the National Association of Link Workers after completing their professional development training.

The accreditation shows to customers and partners that the team have the skills and knowledge required to support customers in the best possible way.

The Social Prescribing service was formed just under 12 months ago but has already supported 112 customers. Offering a range of support, the officers work with customers on the H Factor (Health, Hope and Happiness) programme, to give them the tools and confidence they need to make positive changes. This can include support to access community groups, or referrals to training or money advice.

The programme provides a “more than medicine” approach to health and wellbeing by offering a safety net of social support that can help people to feel happier, more confident and less isolated.

Social Prescribing Team Manager Lisa Sylvester said: “Social Prescribing provides customers with a prescription for social activities and time with others rather than medicines or prescriptions from a GP. We provide people with support to take part in music, arts, sports and leisure – anything that brings people together and helps them to develop new confidence and skills.

“Launched at the start of lockdown, the service has provided a vital lifeline to customers experiencing loneliness and isolation, as well as supporting others to build their confidence and self esteem. We are delighted to have supported so many customers in the first 12 months of running this programme and look forward to helping many more with our new “gold standard” service.”