whg Launches New Social Prescribing Service

  • 22nd October 2020

  • Corporate news

whg believe that everyone has the right to good health and wellbeing and to help their customers achieve this they have launched an exciting new social prescribing service.

The H Factor programme (which stands for Health, Hope and Happiness) provides customers with the support of a Social Prescriber who will work alongside them to improve their health and wellbeing.

whg has recognised that many illnesses are not necessarily fixed by medication or a visit to the GP. Very often people are simply lonely or isolated and are missing the contact of others. To help turn this around, whg’s new team of Social Prescribers will work with customers, listening to their hopes, aspirations and what they enjoy about life and they will use this to create a bespoke social, rather than medical, prescription. This may include helping customers to develop new friendships in their local community, kick start old hobbies that haven’t been enjoyed in a while or increasing access to new activities and experiences. All of this is designed to build confidence and self-esteem, which has been shown to reduce the need for medical help.

To date customers have benefited from befriending services, activities such as arts and crafts, music, film and book clubs, counselling and support groups, volunteering opportunities and emotional support provided through regular wellbeing conversations.

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, hopeful and healthy.

Connie Jennings, head of health and wellbeing, said: “We are proud to be more than a landlord and are always looking for new ways to improve outcomes for our customers and make a real difference in our local communities.

“Now, more than ever, many people are finding life a challenge with an increase in people feeling anxious and low and struggling to feel focussed and positive. This can have a huge impact on health and wellbeing – and that’s where our new social prescribing service comes in.

“Social prescribing can be useful to many people – those that may feel isolated or lonely, have long term health issues or have complex social needs affecting their welfare.  This service will find ways to support customers’ needs in ways that works for them, with the aim of improving health outcomes, reducing health inequalities, and reduce demand on the health and social care system.”

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