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What and Who
Support Group

What is Social Prescribing? 

Social prescribing involves a trusted referrer connecting a person to a link worker, who acts as a resource while the individual creates  their own personalised plan, identifying opportunities and avenues for enrichment to enhance their quality of life.

Who is Social Prescribing for?

Social Prescribing can benefit everyone!

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Many circumstances can contribute to greater need for this type of intervention, including:

  • Living with social isolation, depression or anxiety

  • Living with multiple health conditions (comorbidity) or disability

  • Aging and other life stage transitions

  • Pre-existing mental health conditions

  • Significant life events and trauma

  • Lengthy recovery from injury

  • Living with cultural or language barriers

Social Prescribing addresses
Social Determinants of Health

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The benefits
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What are the benefits?

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Empowering people living

with chronic conditions to  
manage their lives

Aligns with patients' 
interests and goals

Person-centred model
Holistic needs assessment

Increases skills and
work readiness

Decreased feelings of loneliness
Improved mental health 
Sense of community belonging

 

Increased social and 
community connections

Rediscovering new or past
interests, skills and talents

Increased confidence, 
capabilities and relationships

Addresses Social
Determinants of Health

Increased health
education and literacy

Supports existing community
services and resources

Reduces burden on
hospital and GP services

How it works

How does it work in action?

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Where
Social
Prescribing 
fits in the
broader
care
environment

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Following an accident Corey underwent shoulder reconstruction, hip replacement and several hernia operations. 

Corey lost his job as an arborist – he felt frustrated, disappointed and lost. 
 

 Corey was becoming very isolated and depressed as he could no longer participate in fun activities, including speed climbing, that he used to enjoy doing with his family and a regular climbing group.
 

Case Study: Corey

photos of Corey and family with quote "I can see an end point and feel better about my recovery"
Photo of Corey

With the help of his Link Worker, Corey was supported to explore his interests and connect to local community groups.

Corey joined art, social and relaxation groups, which helped him to connect with new people to increase his social network, as well as to support the development of new family activities.

 

Corey’s Link Worker also guided him in developing a positive structure to his week, so much so that he now looks forward to what each new week brings.

He found that having a Link Worker and meeting new friends meant that he had people on his side who listened and cared. 

“I do things now that I like to do. Rather than only the things I have to do, such as medical appointments”

More Case Studies

Research & Evidence

📄 2024 Article "Connect Local : protocol for the evaluation of a codesigned whole of community approach to promote social connection in older adults"

📄 2024 Article "Potential lateral and upstream consequences in the development and implementation of social prescribing in Australia"

📄 2023 Article "Codesigning a social prescribing pathway to address the social determinant of health concerns of children with cerebral palsy and their families in Australia: a protocol for a mixed-methods formative research study"

📄 2023 Report "The Social Prescribing Library"

📄 2023 Report "18 Month Evaluation of Social Prescribing in Queensland"

📄 2023 Article "Nature prescriptions should address motivations and barriers to be effective, equitable, and sustainable"

📄 2023 Article "Nature prescriptions: practical progress"

📄 2022 Study "Exploring social connectedness in older Australians with chronic conditions: Results of a descriptive survey"

📄 2022 Research Article "Social prescribing link workers - A qualitative Australian perspective"

📄 2022 Review "Social Prescribing: A Review of the Literature"

📄 2022 Study "The effect of social prescribing programs on loneliness for adults in Queensland"

📄 2022 Research Article "Prevention and management of delirium in older Australians: The need for the integration of carers as partners in care"

📄 2021 Report "Infrastructure for Social Connection: Researching the existing assets for creating social connectedness and identifying interventions"

📄 2021 Report "More than Medicine: Exploring Social Prescribing in Australia"

 

📄 2020 Research Article "Social prescribing as an intervention for people with work-related injuries and psychosocial difficulties in Australia"

📄 2020 Research Article "Social Prescribing for Individuals Living with Mental Illness in an Australian Community Setting: A Pilot Study"

📄 2020 Report "Social Participation Among Older Adults Receiving Community Care Services"

📄 2020 Review "Social prescribing: A rapid literature review to inform primary care policy in Australia"

📄 2019 Report "An Evaluation of the Clinical, Social and Economic Impacts of the Plus Social® Program"

📄 2019 Report Excerpt "icare Foundation Social and Economic Impact ... Plus Social® Program"

📄 2019 Report "RACGP & CHF Social Prescribing Roundtable"

Research & Evidence
Research Partners
Networking Group

Events & News

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Events & News
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