Social Prescribing
Support offered by our Wellbeing Link Worker
Brandon Centre offers Social Prescribing to young people aged 16-24 in Camden. This service is funded by North Central London NHS Integrated Care System.
Brandon Centre, The Hive and Fitzrovia Youth in Action (FYA) are three services working together – in partnership with local schools, colleges and other services – supporting individual young people to identify and access community activities to improve their mental and/or physical wellbeing.
There are a number of Social Prescribers working with adults across the borough. The Social Prescribers who work specifically with young people at Brandon Centre, The Hive and FYA are called Wellbeing Link Workers.
What is Social Prescribing?
Social Prescribing aims to boost general wellbeing, using a non-clinical approach. Each young person can be linked in to local community activities and services of their personal choice, which in turn can improve general health and wellbeing. Activities could include (for example) fitness and sport, creative arts, music production, performing arts, cooking and baking etc.
Who is it for?
Our Social Prescriber at Brandon Centre works with young people aged 16-24, who are based in Camden (living, studying, or with GP in Camden).
Social Prescribing can help young people who may be feeling low, anxious, stressed, lonely, isolated, or lacking confidence. We can support any young person who is experiencing low-to-moderate mental health needs, or physical health needs, to access a range of creative, social and sporting activities in the local community.
How is the support is offered?
Our Wellbeing Link Worker (Social Prescriber) at Brandon Centre is called Lucy. She can meet with a young person 1-2-1 to explore their situation and what activities they might like to pursue for health and wellbeing.
Lucy can meet young people at Brandon Centre (our building is very welcoming and we have a wellbeing garden), at school, a youth hub, or a community café – wherever the young person feels comfortable to meet. Lucy also offers telephone sessions with young people.
What is special about this service?
The support is free and most activities are free. If an activity has a cost, we have some budget to cover costs and keep things free for the young person.
Once a young person has been supported to identify activities they might enjoy, our Wellbeing Link Worker can book classes and activities and offer to accompany the young person to any activity or service (e.g. a visit to The Hive Youth Hub) if they want that extra support the first few times they go.
Number of sessions?
Up to 6 sessions can be offered, depending on the young person’s needs. Our Wellbeing Link Worker will check in with each young person on a regular basis (face to face, over the phone, via text message) to review how they are getting on and make sure they are OK.
What to expect?
Sessions are led by the young person, who can choose what activities and services they would like to access. If an activity does not suit, for whatever reason, we can explore other activities on offer.
Once a young person feels comfortable accessing their chosen activities independently, sessions with the Wellbeing Link Worker will come to an end.
How to access Social Prescribing support?
If you would like to find out more or ask any questions, please contact our Wellbeing Link Worker (Lucy) via email lucytobinhoward@brandoncentre.org.uk or telephone 0207 267 4792.
Professionals can refer into this service by completing the referral form below.