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Social Prescribing
Franstrahan
Member Posts: 898 Pioneering
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.
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.
Replies
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
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
Recipes
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?
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
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
Recipes
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
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.
Yes, I'm going to try that as well!
See what they say now.
Thanks Polls x
@pollyanna1052
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.
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.
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.
Also do I need to wait for my WCA to get LCW so I can work and build something up without losing benefits?
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.
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.
Thanks Poppy, that makes sense. But after the WCA as I'm pretty sure I'll get LCW I can look into proper self employment pet caring and/or gardening, is that right.
I'm sure that will help on many levels, as I know me better than anybody else does.
Thanks
Ok, sorry, it gets confusing. So if I started looking into self employment now, and earning, as long as not more than 503, my UC benefit would stay the same, is that right.
I would need to get receipts for money I presume, is that all.
Ok I'll look up the 63% reduction bit, but would you say I would be better to hold out till I have the WCA.
Feel I have to do something rather than sitting around waiting for something to happen. I could start getting info on proper self employment as the 14 years I did it before didnt make enough money and sometimes went without any work for a period, like winter months. So dont think it would hurt to start making enquiries.
Thanks Poppy
They certainly make it complicated. I think when I have the WCA I will get LCW. I have plenty of evidence that I cant work with people and out of my own choosing decided to work with animals and gardens ages before I even knew about the ASD. I have huge gaps in my employment history etc. So dont see how they can fail to give me limited capability for work. Then hopefully might get some help from them maybe along the self employment route.
The aim is to explore the services that are available to support you, this could be medical, social or a mixture of the two.
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That's a bit more of a positive picture of them. I certainly wouldn't want them coming round here trying to get me out and about in the community. I was going to cancel them altogether but will wait and see what they say.
Is waiting since October normal, I guess it probably could be.
Unfortunately backlogs would depend on your area. I hope you here something soon!
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Thanks Chloe. Maybe I will email them, just to see what's happening with my referral. But you're probably right, backlogs. If they offer help and advice, then leave me to choose, doesnt sound so bad.
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Not for me, but I'll leave it and let them get in touch whenever. Maybe like the Wellbeing service who I had this time last year, SP offer different services in different areas. This is a big retirement area so there probably is a lot of people looking for clubs, groups etc.
I'm thinking about it but will need to discuss it with my work coach I think. Also still have bad days with the depression so would need to be flexible. Social Prescribing might be able to help with that so that's a good idea. I can ask for help with that when they contact me. They have a backlog i presume in this area. But they should be able to find anyone local that needs dog walking or some light gardening. I will check with my job coach though as dont want to mess up benefits.
(Is there also an underlying fear that if you attempt work and get paid, for a trial few hours in a job where you don't have social contact, then the benefits assessors will declare you did it once, so you are able to get a job full time, on the tills in a supermarket, or else have all benefits cancelled?. )
It sounds contrary to proclaimed public policy. You are posting in a general chat coffee lounge. Maybe you could re-post ? Check on this site, with benefits experts. Possibly an autism charity would also have particular expertise.
By the way, I don't suggest working unpaid as a long plan, just a) give yourself up to date references on your c.v.
b) ask for at least a cover payment for travel, eating meals away from home, getting suitable clothing and so on, which is not payment, so not declared as such.
Rich people, civil servants, politicians etc. all have complex perks, to the point where their hidden rewards turn the actual salaries of the seriously rich into the most trivial part of their 'pay'. A recent article by a 'poacher turned gamekeeper ' described how she had to fix 'remuneration packages ' including finding offshore places to put rewards in shares of subsiduary companies, and even, she declared, providing gold bars! All perfectly legal, routine for the obscenely over-rewarded super rich.
Possibly autistic people are likely to be more straightforward than the general public? My guess would be that if someone does something unpaid, as a trial, the person organising it will hand over an untaxable cover payment for expenses, then the person they actually do the free work for will maybe hand over an untaxable bonus tip, simply as a personal way to show appreciation.
Some charities send volunteers to people's gardens, but never to allotments, so when people are ill, or frail, they let their plots go wild unless they happen to have a family member to help them.
Yes the system is very complicated and I just want to make sure I dont put a foot wrong.
I do see in black and white, so it either is or it isn't. If you know what I mean. All the little loopholes just make things incomprehensible.
I'm waiting for the WCA which I should get LCW at and believe I can work before that but will lose 63 percent from UC. So weighing all this up currently.