Local Organisations Connect at Crane Valley PCN Event - 14th January 2026

On January 14th, more than 50 people from Ferndown, West Moors, Verwood, and surrounding areas gathered for a dynamic community networking and information event hosted by Crane Valley Primary Care Network (PCN). This gathering was a cornerstone of the PCN’s Community SWITCH initiative, bringing together local groups, services, and partners to share information and explore how a collaborative approach can better support local health and wellbeing.

What is Community SWITCH?
Community SWITCH (Supporting Wellbeing, Improving the Community’s Health) is a community-wide initiative designed to bridge the gap between residents and the support they need. It unites charities, the NHS, public sector partners, and community groups to share vital resources.

The initiative works through two main pathways:

• Professional Referral: Social Prescribers and Care Coordinators within the network use the programme to link patients—via GP referral—to activities and services that match their specific needs.
• Direct Access: Residents can explore resources independently through the dedicated Community SWITCH website.

Putting Patients at the Heart of Care
A unique strength of Community SWITCH is that it is co-developed with Patient Participation Group (PPG) members. These volunteers are essential to the project's success by:

• Identifying and reviewing local resources to ensure they meet community needs.
• Developing patient information leaflets.
• Conducting regular peer reviews of the website to ensure all information is accurate and up-to-date.

The website serves as the primary entry point, beginning the user journey with the simple, meaningful question: “How are you feeling?”.

The impact of the networking session was felt immediately by those in attendance. One patient from The Barcellos Family Practice noted:

"It’s a really useful tool for both patients and community groups. It was great to meet people today and find out about groups I hadn’t come across before. Groups should get in touch with each other and keep the conversations going."

Jo Morris, Managing Partner at The Cranborne Practice, added:

"The Community SWITCH website has become an important part of supporting health in the local community... Thank you to everyone who came along today, shared their time, and helped build stronger links between local groups and our GP practices."

Looking Ahead
Crane Valley PCN is committed to the "Integrated Neighbourhood Team" approach. By coordinating efforts between the NHS, local government, community groups and the charitable sector, we ensure every member of our community has a meaningful opportunity to stay active, connect with others, and improve their overall wellbeing.

Are you a local group looking to connect, or a resident searching for support?

• Visit the website: www.communityswitch.org
• Talk to your GP: Ask about a referral to a Social Prescriber

It is about helping you access support services in the community to complement the health care being provided by your GP.

The Crane Valley PCN Social prescribing Team can offer a range of potential benefits for older adults, helping to improve their overall well-being and quality of life.

Because feeling better does not always come in a tube or a bottle.

Learn more>>