The aim of the Social Prescribing service is to link people aged 16 and over to the activities and support offered by Reading’s voluntary and community groups, empowering people to improve their health and wellbeing.
NHS England explains why Social Prescribing is so valuable:
It’s estimated that one in five of the people who go to see their GP are troubled by things that can’t be cured by medical treatment. GPs tell us that they spend significant amounts of time dealing with the effects of poor housing, debt, stress and loneliness. Many people are overwhelmed and can’t reach out to make the connections that could make a difference to their situation. This is especially true for people who have long-term conditions, who need support with their mental health, who are lonely or isolated, or who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.
That’s where our Social Prescribers come in, helping people to identify what matters to them, and how to connect with the community activities that might make a difference.
RVA’s Social Prescribing service
RVA’s Social Prescribing team works with Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in Reading, taking referrals from GPs and healthcare practitioners, including people referred through the Community Wellness Outreach project. RVA works with the following GP surgeries:
- Abbey Medical Centre (Holybrook PCN)
- Balmore Park Surgery (Caversham PCN)
- Broad Street Health Centre (Holybrook PCN)
- Chatham Street Surgery (Central Reading PCN)
- Chancellor House Surgery (Central Reading PCN)
- Emmer Green Surgery (Caversham PCN)
- Grovelands Medical Centre (Central Reading PCN)
- London Street Surgery (Central Reading PCN)
- Milman and Kennet Surgery (Holybrook PCN)
- Pembroke Surgery (Central Reading PCN)
- Tilehurst Village Surgery
- Westwood Road Surgery
Find out more
We run online sessions a few times a year as an introduction to Social Prescribing at RVA. Please click on one of the links below to book onto a session.
Get in touch
If you have received support from the Social Prescribing service in the past and would like us to get in touch again, please email social.prescribing@rva.org.uk.
If you are a professional looking to make a referral, please see Guide for Referrers page.
Further information
Read more about Social Prescribing on the NHS England website.
