In 2023 Social Prescribers (SP’s) were the top referrers to Torch and we have built up a good relationship with SP teams across Reading and the surrounding area.

Social prescribing connects people to community groups activities and services for practical and emotional support giving people time to focus on what matters to them.

Social Prescribing recognises the need to take a wholistic approach covering physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.

This video provides a 2-minute overview:

Those who work in this area may be referred to as Social Prescribers, Social Prescribing Link Workers, Community Navigators or Support Broker.

SP’s are generally linked to GP Practices and Torch is connected with SP’s at the following surgeries across Reading:

  • Western Elms and Circuit Lane PCN
  • The Potteries PCN
  • University Medical Group PCN
  • Brookside Practice PCN
  • Caversham PCN
  • South Reading PCN
  • Holybrook PCN
  • Tilehurst Village Surgery
  • Westwood Road Health Centre

Here are details of the largest SP team in Reading:   Social Prescribing – Reading Voluntary Action (rva.org.uk)

The aim is to support people by looking at the factors that impact on health and wellbeing and working together with the client to identify opportunities for them to take control. Factors impacting our health and wellbeing include; finances, relationships, lack of social opportunity, housing issues, to name a few.

Research indicates that:

  • 80% of health outcomes are driven by non-clinical factors, meaning things that happen entirely outside of the doctor’s control.
  • People spend as much as 20%-25% of their lives with a disability or life-limiting health condition.
  • 55% of all death and disability could be averted through non-clinical interventions.
  • Finally, the number one predictor of your life expectancy is your postcode which has more sway on your length of life than anything else.

These problems cannot often be solved by medicine or clinical help alone. This is where Social Prescribing may be able to help. Social Prescribing can work for a wide range of people, including those who:

  • have one or more long-term health condition.
  • need support with their mental health.
  • are lonely or isolated.
  • have multiple needs affecting their wellbeing.

By working with Social Prescribers Torch is able to be a part of offering a wholistic solution to a persons need, recognising that their personal faith plays a strong part in wellbeing both now and in eternity.