News

January 2024

What the National Framework for Social Prescribing means for the sector

Professor Carolyn Wallace, Director of the Wales School for Social Prescribing, reflects on the recent launch of Welsh Government’s National Framework for Social Prescribing.

Social prescribing is a relationship-based approach which connects people to community support. It consists of three parts, referral to a prescriber (for example a GP or Community Connector), describing what social prescribing actually does, and the community assets (including community centres, voluntary organisations and the people themselves). Social prescribing itself comprises conversation, action planning, signposting/onward referral, and monitoring and reporting of outcomes. It requires multiple organisations to work together to ensure a coherent social prescribing pathway. 

Read full article.

January 2024

North Wales Social Prescribing Survey 2024

Further to the recent launch of the National Social Prescribing Framework for Wales National framework for social prescribing | GOV.WALES we are gathering information about the local context of Social Prescribing in North Wales in preparation for taking forward the delivery of this framework under the Regional Partnership Board.

As many of you are aware I have been meeting with partners for the past few months and have had many very positive and interesting conversations. As promised, please find a link to our North Wales Social Prescribing Study 2024 here: Astudiaeth / Study (office.com)

Can all commissioners and providers of Social Prescribing services please take time to complete the survey by Wednesday 31st January. 

December 2023

Social prescribing growing in Wales

The latest data shows there has been a clear year on year increase in referrals and use of social prescribing from around 10,000 in 2018 to 2019 to just over 25,000 in 2020 to 2021.

Through its early preventative approach, social prescribing could help ease the burden on front-line specialist services. Evidence suggests it reduces the footfall to GP surgeries by 15% to 28%, and around 20% of patients go to their GP for social problems.

Social prescribing can vary from person to person, and is a way of connecting people, whatever their age or background with their community. It can improve mental wellbeing, reduce anxiety and depression, enhance self-esteem, reduce loneliness and isolation, maintaining healthy body weight, and help people live better, for longer.

The new National Framework for Social Prescribing (NFfSP), launched by Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Lynne Neagle today (Monday 11 December) seeks to support local action to mainstream social prescribing across Wales, whilst keeping people at its heart. 

Further information.

December 2023

Written Statement: National Framework for Social Prescribing

On 7th December, Lynne Neagle MS, Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, set out Welsh Government plans for a National Framework for Social Prescribing (NFfSP).

Whilst the development of a NFfSP is a Programme for Government commitment, social prescribing across Wales is not new. It is woven into the very fabric of what Welsh Government does in terms of empowering people and communities.

In 2022, we ran a consultation exercise on a Welsh approach to social prescribing which received more than 190 responses, and a summary of the consultation responses is also published today. These have directly shaped the development of the NFfSP.

Social prescribing interventions have been developed and established in a bottom-up way across Wales, with individual contracted providers and clusters involved in health and care, third sector and statutory organisations developing different delivery models. 

Further information.

November 2023

SUCCEED study recruitment: Can you help us?

The SUCCEED Study is preparing for the possibility that self-sampling may become an option in cervical screening (otherwise known as a smear). The aim of the study is to recommend how to make a decision aid so that people could make the right decision for themselves between having a clinician carry out their cervical screening (as is done now) or doing a self-sample (likely a vaginal swab which does not need to reach the cervix, that someone can do themselves at home). We want any recommendations to be as inclusive as possible, so that it could support people from a variety of experiences, faiths and communities from groups who are often under-represented in research.

Further information.

November 2023

Support Funds (SPF)

As part of the UK Shared Prosperity programme, around £20m has been earmarked for Gwynedd County with some of the money committed for the establishment of funds for supporting  Regeneration, Culture, Events and Healthy and Active projects  a. As part of the scheme Gwynedd Council is opening 3 Funds;

1. Regeneration Support Fund

2. Culture, Events, Healthy Living and Active Support Fund

3. Business Support Fund

The Regeneration, Cultural Support, Events, Healthy Living and Active Funds invite expressions of interest by not-for-profit organisations (including event organisers and social enterprises) to support projects that will improve the quality of  residents and communities, on an application submission basis. 

The second round of the Healthy and Active Living Fund is now open. The deadline for applications to the Healthy Living and Active fund is 5pm 8 December 2023. 

The second round of the Culture Fund is now open. The deadline for applications to the Culture fund is 5pm, 20 December 2023. 

Further information.

September 2023

HAPUS Questionnaire: please help to complete

Public Health Wales are currently working with Cardiff Metropolitan University to conduct work to build a national conversation about wellbeing and they want to hear from you! This is your opportunity to voice what’s important to you in your community and what’s stopping you from doing what you want to do. 

Below is a link to  a short survey which should take no longer than 20 minutes to complete and is available in both English and Welsh below. If you want to take part then just click the link below, you will be given more detailed information about the aims of the study and asked to provide consent before the survey begins. 

Should you have any queries or questions, please contact Kate Isherwood on KRIsherwood@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

Link to English survey: https://cardiffmet.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bIa0O98jjYe4AlM

14 July 2023

Call for Papers / Posters: Rural Health and Care Conference 2023

Please find attached application forms for the presentation of Papers and Posters at the forthcoming Rural Health and Care Conference “Embracing Change – welcoming innovation and new ways of delivering Rural Health and Care services”, which this year is being held in hybrid format, both online and in person on the 14th and 15th November 2023.

Please could you circulate the application forms within your organisation and to any of your colleagues or friends who may be interested in presenting at the event. As last year, there will be a special Poster section specifically for students. 

The closing date for submission of applications is 22nd September 2023.

If you have any queries or require any further information, please do not hesitate to get in contact.

Best wishes
Anna

anna.prytherch@wales.nhs.uk

3 July 2023

Developing a social prescribing evaluation framework and training materials

The University of South Wales, in collaboration with the Wales School for Social Prescribing Research (WSSPR), and the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), is undertaking a study to develop an evaluation framework for social prescribing and accompanying training materials.

We are inviting individuals with experience / expertise in social prescribing to take part in a UK-wide and international Delphi study.

The attached Information sheet provides further details on the study, the Delphi method, and your involvement.

The Delphi study will be conducted via three rounds, using an online platform hosted by the University of Stirling. The aim is to work towards achieving mutual agreement / consensus on the components of: An evaluation framework and reporting standards for social prescribing evaluation.

If you decide you would like to take part, please follow this link and click ‘join’ to register: https://delphi.stir.ac.uk/spf/

If you have any difficulties in accessing the platform please contact Prof. Kevin Swingler: kevin.swingler@stir.ac.uk.

If you have any queries about the study, please contact: Dr Sarah Wallace: sarah.wallace@southwales.ac.uk

12 May 2023

How social prescribing can make positive changes to health and wellbeing

Since 2017 the Wales School for Social Prescribing Research (WSSPR), based at PRIME Centre Wales funded by Health and Care Research Wales, has strived to improve people's wellbeing through the implementation of social prescribing within Welsh primary care services. 

Read the full interview with Professor Carolyn Wallace here.

03 November 2022

Take part in study to identify and agree a Social Prescribing core minimum dataset

Hello, we would like to invite you to take part in a study to identify and agree a core minimum dataset for Social Prescribing. This work is seeking involvement from across All Wales and is part of developing a Social Prescribing Evaluation Framework, supported by the Regional Partnership Board in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. More.

02 November 2022

Glyndwr University Research Study on Compassion and Social

Social Prescribers are invited to take part in a research study on compassion and social prescribing. Researchers at Wrexham Glyndŵr University are looking to develop a workshop on compassion for health and wellbeing sector staff whose job role involves social prescribing, and we would like to know more about compassion and social prescribing in order to ensure the training is suitably tailored to meet the needs of those working within this role. More.

October 2022

WSSPR Annual Report 2021 - 2022

Our annual report for 2021-2022 is out now. This year two report in this funding period (2020-2023) provides an insight into our understanding of how social prescribing should be evaluated, our research capacity building and how we’ve been developing our local, national and international partnerships to build the evidence base for social prescribing.

• WSSPR Annual Report 2021-2022 (English)

• WSSPR Annual Report 2021-2022 (Cymraeg)