Crane Valley Primary Care Network leads a groundbreaking initiative designed to enhance local people's overall health and quality of life – Community SWITCH.

Many things affect your health and wellbeing. For example, GPs tell us that many people visit them feeling isolated, lonely or stressed by work, money and housing problems.

There are lots of ways you might be part of social prescribing.  It often starts with a conversation, perhaps with your doctor, who can refer you to someone who can help:  a link worker, support broker or a community navigator.

Whatever they are called, they are there to listen to you and put you in touch with the people and activities that might help you to feel better.

At its most basic, a social prescription offers the kind of help that doesn’t come in a tube or a bottle.

The idea behind social prescribing is to help you have more control over your health and find ways to improve how you feel in a way that suits you.

That might mean being introduced to a community group, a new activity or volunteers to help around the house. On the other hand, it might be information and guidance:  a bit of inside knowledge on your situation and what local resources are available.

It could even be some support to create something new such as a fishing group or gardening club.

Your GP may refer you to the Social Prescribing service, or you may wish to self refer, in which case you can contact the Dorset Self-Management Service – Social Prescribing Team by calling 0303 303 0153

 Or follow this link to visit the self-referral page on their website:>>

For more on what Social Prescribing is all about, our colleagues in the Healthy London Partnership have created a video, which you can view below: