Mareeba Community Link worker - Social Prescribing

Social Prescribing at Mareeba Community Centre

Social Prescribing is a personalised, non-clinical way of supporting people to improve their wellbeing by connecting them with meaningful social supports, community activities, and practical resources. Instead of focusing on “what’s wrong”, Social Prescribing focuses on “what matters” to each person, and walks alongside them to help reduce isolation, strengthen confidence, and support sustainable connection to community.

How it works

People can self-refer, or be referred by schools, GPs, other services, or family. Once connected to the program, the person is supported through a guided pathway:

Link Worker
The Link Worker works directly with the person to understand their goals, strengths, barriers, and interests. Together they co-design a personalised plan (a “social prescription”), linking the person to community groups, programs, services, and low-cost/no-cost activities. The Link Worker provides supported introductions, follow-up, and problem-solving so people feel confident, safe and ready to participate.

Outcome
Social Prescribing is about building capability, confidence, and connection so that people are not only “linked in” for a moment — they stay engaged in their community in a way that feels meaningful and improves their wellbeing over time.
This program is currently delivered at Mareeba Community Centre as part of the Social Prescribing Trial in QLD.