Dear Member,
This week marks the publication of a milestone report, showcasing the work of social prescribing, health and wellbeing coaching and the VCFSE. "Passion, Connection and Community: Person-centred neighbourhood health in North Cumbria" champions the role of health and wellbeing workers and community support in helping people live happier and healthier lives.
The report is being launched at an event on May 7th in Carlisle, at Harraby Community Centre - and there are still a few places left! Book now to avoid disappointment!
'Passion, connection and community: How to get person-centred neighbourhood health right' A celebration of social prescribing and link working in North Cumbria | Cumbria CVS
It has been commissioned by the North Cumbria Social Prescribing Group and published by Cumbria CVS. It includes 8 case studies, telling the stories of Cumbrian people who have been supported by social prescribing-type roles and the voluntary sector.
The roles include Health and Wellbeing Coaches who are based at both Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness Councils, social prescribers, health coaches and care co-ordinators attached to GP practices and third sector services like Cumbria CVS's Third Sector Referral Coordinator team.
Data included in the publication shows that more than 15,000 people per year are seen by these roles - a huge resource for North Cumbria. A national research summary written by the University of Lancashire highlights the growing evidence base for social prescribing both in terms of individual wellbeing/health and in reducing the costs of healthcare.
But the report also highlights the challenges of funding this vital work: both in terms of primary care link worker roles, and for the VCFSE sector in providing sustainable groups and activities to respond to the demand they create.
In the words of Carolyn Otley, our CEO at Cumbria CVS: "it’s hard to find funding for all that great work, both social prescribing roles, and the wider support that link workers connect people to.
I hope that this report tells your (VCFSE’s) stories, and in doing so, makes your work more visible to partners across they system, kick starting conversations about how we take a more joined up, sustainable and person-centred approach as we begin to explore what Neighbourhood Health looks like in practice."
Dr Jenny Benson from Cumbria Community Foundation emphasised the importance of sustainable funding for the third sector: “Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations are key to tackling health inequalities across North Cumbria. Through social prescribing, these organisations receive referrals from primary care and community services.
Trusted by communities and rooted in lived experience, they support individuals whose health is shaped by isolation, poverty, mental ill-health, trauma and long-term inequality. Social prescribers increasingly rely on these organisations to deliver the preventative, relational and community-based support that keeps people well and reduces pressure on our health services.
However, VCFSE organisations cannot deliver this work without financial investment, and the report highlights that the lack of sustainable funding is often the main limiting factor for VCFSE organisations being able to support people referred to them through social prescribing.”
We would be keen to hear your thoughts! | 
