Social Prescribing

Franstrahan

I know we had a thread on here some time ago about them but was just wondering does anybody now get their services or does anybody know the full range of what they do?
I was referred to them back in October when my counsellors discharged me as they thought I'd get a better kind of help from them.
All I thought of Social Prescribing at the time was they got you out and about doing things in the community (which would not suit me) but just wondering if they help in other areas.
I've not heard from them yet btw.
Thanks for any info.

thespiceman

Hello @Franstrahan   Good morning to you.  Social prescribing is a scheme set up to help those with mental health issues.

Activities, goals aims and plans set up to cope with your mental health.

Could be the following looking at your lifestyle how you are dealing with any problems.

Could involve fitness exercise.

Dealing with anxiety and depression coping methods strategies.  

New skills things you would like to do.  Or consider.

Cope with isolation, loneliness instil structures and methods to help you.

Social and making friends including outings or involving others.

Mental Health charities offer all of this and much more.

Sometimes by accessing their services the opportunities could be more beneficial .

Because if your floating support worker has agreed with you a care plan or an aim or some goals to help your recovery.

Plus if you feel not for you can adjust this discuss other options.

For example some walking groups not serve a purpose for all.  

Tia Chi or gentle swimming in a mental health charity can be a choice.

As with all of these schemes it is up to get involved or help your self.

Consider not doing so have to be reviewed .

One other important point I forget to add. Mental Health charities often take an interest in looking at how you can help them.

Could be employment working for them or volunteering.

I have met those enrolled at a charity as clientele ended up as either employees or volunteers, with added bonus of having any mental health support.

Only if and when needed.  Sometimes something else to think about.

One example is you mentioned cooking, slow cooker.

In my own experience mentioned this, myself long time a go.

Ended up going to a three day course acquiring my qualifications in diet, nutrition plus meeting those of my age group and illness.

After consultation my support worker found me more courses on cooking meeting again others like myself.

Not only helped self esteem but now can advise all of you with my knowledge which I do.

I also believe many charities have the Cree Project in the organisations listed.

This a scheme for men and women who are isolated, lonely have problems integrating meeting others.

One group for men  and one for women. Good to look at that.

Men's one involved all things you expect around men's issues activities discussions.

Look on line local area.

If I have given these charities before sorry.

https://www.richmondfellowship.org.uk.

https://www.mind.org.uk.

https://www.rethink.org.

Please take care.

@thespiceman

   

Franstrahan

I dont want to do anything socially or that might involve being around people . Just wondering if they do offer any support outside of these areas. The name of the thing bothers me - SOCIAL Prescribing. I would like to work again with animals and light gardening. As and when I can.
Thank you @thespiceman
I worked alone for 14 years like this and it suited me but need help with proper self employment in this area and advice for when I'm ready.
Also the referral was done in October. Is it usual to wait so long to here from them?

thespiceman

Hello @Franstrahan   The whole idea of Social prescribing is that .

As with any mental health support your expected to be in support groups interact with others.

Only thing with any anxiety this these questions, you need to ask your self.

1.  If I interact with other people of my age group and ages. Will my symptoms subside reduce and cope with any issues.

2.  Am I missing out on opportunities and ways to help my self cope with my problems.

3.  If I did join and start interaction with others where and when what will happen.  Will I be better or if I do not go or deal with any thing bothering me .

4.  Will the mental health continue to plague my mind and cause me more problems.

5.  This the last one which I think is very relevant if you do not deal with anything that is causing issues.  Am I ever going to get help and support.

Because services and associated charities have a limited budgets and as with anything need to know if this is working for you.

If you refuse deny yourself help or support. Services have to do a review, I do not think you know how much each person in any service costs.

It is quite astounding and remember these are charities are services with limited budgets, staff.

I do have to inform you in all my experience of thirty years of mental health and addiction only once said no and wish had not.

One of the first things many services do is evaluate you are you worth are the right clientele for the service.

Are you worth spending money on, yes these questions have to be answered.  Are you going to be aware, help yourself and keep using ways and means to cope.

If you do not wish to consider helping yourself taking advantage of the many opportunities available you never know what you can achieve.

I have to say this to you, not harsh words but the truth.

I have been involved in many charities services and all of them added more knowledge, expertise and education to my issues.

One other important and very poignant point all charities do benefit reviews ask about your circumstances. If there is extra money for you they will tell you also can be advantage to you.

One charity long  ago introduced me to the Motability scheme , never thought qualify but did with their support. Had that for a long time.

I know met people who had have housing issues, problems . Got sorted with supported living and near to and access to any support.

Either from the services or charities involved all on one estate. All lovely homes fitted with everything you need.

Something they do. In my own health issues I do have the addiction history asked me first time need any more help for you.

Even though it is there.  Mentioned relapsed if that happened then would be straight into their services, rehab and get the necessary treatment.

I am aware of all help and support need to further to add to my knowledge and keep my self happy on a level that I can cope with.

Had no support now for three years and after all would not wish to unless I end up ill again, because taking the place of some one else.

I believe my support worker when she added for every one person leaves a service another ten may take there place.

With the crisis severe lack of funding and money being put into these services I do need to express if you do not do this now or wish to think about dealing with issues.

You be stranded and have no support.  Already seen this on the forum.

Willing and hopefully supportive, offer compassion to help them  and others.  We are in a melt down broken systems.

This may be the reason waiting since October. Could be that.

Also what I have added in this post.  

Please take care.

@thespiceman

Franstrahan

Ok lot to think about there.
But dont feel I should be forced into a situation I'm uncomfortable with.
For instance, if they put me in a group I wouldn't speak and would just want to get out of there. 
Thank you for the info, definitely something to think on @thespiceman

pollyanna1052

Hi Fran, would a 1 to 1 help at all?

Franstrahan

pollyanna1052 said:

Hi Fran, would a 1 to 1 help at all?

I was just sitting here thinking why did I ever get kicked out of counselling, when your email came thru! That's what I feel I need. To gather my thoughts and have regular 1 on 1 counselling sessions.

pollyanna1052

could you re-start them?

Franstrahan

@pollyanna1052
I applied to restart them in December and they turned me down saying the depression and anxiety is down to the autism. Have that in writing. I disagree, as I'm in this body and mind, and I think it's down to circumstances.
Suppose I could reapply, and say that on the reapplication if that's possible.

pollyanna1052

worth a try x

Franstrahan

@pollyanna1052
Yes, I'm going to try that as well!

Franstrahan

I have reapplied, stating that I think my depression and anxiety are down to circumstances, not autism.
See what they say now.
Thanks Polls x
@pollyanna1052

newborn

It looks like one size fits all provision. Everyone must undergo social contact,  on the assumption  it improves every type of mental  health  problem,  but that may be entirely wrong for certain  autistic people .  Doing gardening  work, alone, would be exactly right for some.

The other area which does exist, but is assumed to be impossible,  is people who don't have mental health  problems at all, but are lonely because  they are isolated  by circumstances,  such as their physical  health,  or their caring obligations. 

If they don't or won't or can't claim to be mentally ill, they are officially deemed non-existent. 

Franstrahan

@newborn
Ok, dont know why my ex counsellor referred me to them then, knowing I am on the autistic spectrum and dont do social interaction. I went to them thru my GP for counselling for depression and anxiety but they said those conditions were caused by the ASD and discharged me with this Social Prescribing referral.
I had a feeling with the word 'social' in it that was maybe all they did.
I worked with animals, and did gardening alone for 14 years because it suited me, unaware I was on the autistic spectrum.

Franstrahan

Also I do my socialising at an EAL (equine assisted learning) centre, where horses help people with a variety of conditions, including depression and anxiety.

newborn

Is there a chance of using your 14 year c.v. to get similar work?  Maybe if you  could do casual,  part time, or volunteering it would be an easier way back into work?  There must be expert advice from autism organisations.  Perhaps they would have experience of how to push their way through on your behalf. 

It would seem  likely that you should in theory be entitled to be given every assistance,  partly because it will help the cost to the taxpayers,  and help the civil servants tick off their little  list of goals,  if in time you can get back to paid work. But also,  because  your  depression and anxiety will be reduced by the gardening, or the animals,  and increased by either  forced social  contact or unavoidable isolation. 

One idea might be pet sitting or dog walking, presumably  through  a third party who would deal with  talking to the clients.  Or, there's at least one charity which asks people to give foster homes to pets while owners are in hospital. 

Franstrahan

The only problem I had with those 14 years was it didnt pay well and the work wasnt constant. There were gaps, especially winter time. I really need some expert advice on self employment to make it work. But yes, I think it's my best option, to try and get back into pet caring and light gardening. Working with people doesnt work for me, I know that from experience. 
Also do I need to wait for my WCA to get LCW so I can work and build something up without losing benefits?

Franstrahan

When I signed on for UC in Jan 2019 with ASD, sad, and a sick note for depression and anxiety you'd have thought they'd have given me LCW straight away. 

newborn

There are experts who know about benefits,  but a 12 month wait sounds wrong.

Franstrahan

It's been cancelled 3 times now for various reasons. In October, December and January.
Btw think you're right on animals and gardening reducing depression and anxiety (whereas forced social contact would do the opposite). So would work on all levels.

poppy123456

Franstrahan said:

When I signed on for UC in Jan 2019 with ASD, sad, and a sick note for depression and anxiety you'd have thought they'd have given me LCW straight away. 

That only happens to those that have the DS1500 form and have a terminal diagnosis of 6 months or less. Or for those that were claiming ESA previously and already had LCW.