Join Cumberland Council to celebrate National Social Prescribing Day on Thursday, March 14.
The council’s social prescribing team is hosting an event at Christ Central Church in Workington from 10.30am until 1.30pm. Anyone can come along, find out more about the service and take part in activities.
Social prescribing helps people improve their health and wellbeing by connecting them with community groups, activities or services. This can often result in a reduction in doctors’ visits for conditions triggered by loneliness or inactivity.
The council’s Community Connectors can support people directly, or refer them to Joy, an expansive online directory of local groups, services and activities.
At the event on March 14, as well as lots of information on social prescribing and other wellbeing support, there will be free tea and coffee and some mindful activities – visitors can make a biodegradable plant pot and plant a seed to take home.
Cllr Lisa Brown, Cumberland Council’s portfolio holder for Adults and Community Health, said:
“We are delighted to celebrate Social Prescribing Day, and to use it to tell more people about this fantastic service.
“Social prescribing allows us to empower people to change their own lives. Not all issues that we go to the doctor with need medical treatment. When we use exercise, activity or social interaction to tackle loneliness, low mood or weight gain, we are stopping that problem impacting on the NHS at a later date.
“We would love to see anyone who thinks they, or a friend or family member, might benefit from social prescribing. It could be the turning point they are looking for.”
Currently the service is only available in the former Copeland Council area due to its funding - but from April, additional funding means the service will extend to the former Allerdale area. In time, the council hopes to offer the service across the whole of Cumberland.
This event is at The Bridge Centre, Central Square, (adjacent to Central car park), Workington
The council’s social prescribing team can be contacted at social.prescribing@cumberland.gov.uk
The Joy directory of services, community groups and volunteering opportunities can be found at: services.thejoyapp.com