Social Prescribing: Enhancing Health and Wellbeing
Social prescribing enables GPs, nurses, and other primary care professionals to refer patients to a variety of local, non-clinical services that support health and wellbeing.
What is Social Prescribing?
Social prescribing recognises that health and wellbeing are influenced by social, economic, and environmental factors. It takes a holistic approach to address individuals' needs, empowering them to take greater control of their health.
Activities and Services
Social prescribing includes a wide range of activities typically offered by voluntary and community organisations, such as:
· Volunteering
· Arts activities
· Group learning
· Gardening
· Befriending
· Cookery
· Healthy eating advice
· Sports
How It Works
Local agencies like charities, social care, and health services refer individuals to social prescribing link workers. These link workers:
· Understand individual needs
· Collaborate to create personalised care and support plans
· Empower individuals to manage their health and wellbeing
Link workers also support existing community groups to become more accessible and sustainable and assist in starting new groups by working with local partners.
Who Benefits from Social Prescribing?
Social prescribing is inclusive and benefits individuals of all ages, especially those who:
· Have one or more long-term conditions
· Need support with low-level mental health issues
· Are lonely or isolated
· Have complex social needs affecting their wellbeing
Learn more
Click here to read the NHS information page on Social Prescribing
Click here to read the NHS Social Prescribing frequently asked questions
Boost Your Strength: Simple Strategies to Prevent Frailty
One of the most effective ways to prevent frailty in older adults is by incorporating simple, practical strategies—such as increasing protein intake in their diets.
To make this easier, we’ve created a series of “Boost Your Strength” posters, designed to subtly encourage healthier meal and snack choices. These posters focus on small, practical changes that can help maintain and restore muscle mass and strength.
See and download the posters HERE.
Walking Football -with the Republic of Ireland Walking Football Association
Walking football is transforming lives by helping people stay active, make new friends, and enjoy the game they love, regardless of age or physical ability.
It’s an inclusive, low-impact sport that promotes fitness, mental wellbeing, and a sense of community.
Many players, like an 82-year-old member of the Republic of Ireland Walking Football Association (ROIWFA), have found a new lease on life through the sport, gaining mobility, confidence and social connections.
ROIWFA, a vibrant member of our organisation, unites men and women of Irish heritage from across Ireland and Britain, all passionate about walking football.
Since their establishment in April 2020, they have grown to around 90 members who come together to share in the joys of this unique sport.
International
Their commitment to walking football is evident in their participation in numerous international tournaments, where they have played against teams from England, Wales, France, Italy, and beyond.
Notably, at a tournament in Bordeaux in October 2022, ROIWFA’s over-50s team was the only side to defeat England, securing an impressive second place overall.
Most recently (August 2024), ROIWFA organised the Limerick Festival of Walking Football. It brought together over 280 men and women players from across Ireland and the UK in an inter-provincial (and invitational) tournament. It has been hailed as a great success, the first of many that they hope will follow in Ireland.
ROIWFA embodies the spirit of walking football, promoting both physical activity and community spirit. Through friendly competition, laughter, and support, they highlight how the sport brings people together and enhances lives.
Discover how walking football can make a difference to you by connecting with ROIWFA today! Email at ROIWFA@outlook.com
The Importance of Good Foot Health
Why Good Foot Health Matters
Foot health is crucial for staying active and supporting overall physical well-being. Healthy feet provide the foundation for balance, stability and posture, while poor foot health can impact the ability to be physically active, raise the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and can lead to diminished muscle strength.
This page highlights the importance of foot care and shares practical tips for keeping feet healthy along with insights from Sarah Finucane at Footworks, who has collaborated with us on this guide. More information on Sarah's work can be found at the end of this page.
The Importance of Proactive Foot Care
Common foot issues can interfere with daily mobility, balance and confidence. Regular foot care and awareness can help prevent issues that might otherwise lead to discomfort or inactivity. Reporting symptoms such as foot pain or numbness to a healthcare provider is essential for early intervention. Sarah highlights several key points about foot health:
Supporting Daily Activity: Feet carry the entire body’s weight and are integral to our mobility and balance. Proper care can make walking, running and daily activities more comfortable.
Preventing Complications: Regular foot checks help diagnose issues early lowering the risk of complications and managing potential infections. Pain and difficulty walking can often be caused by corns and callus regular foot care manages this effectively.
Special Attention for Diabetes Patients: People with diabetes are especially at risk for foot complications including poor circulation and nerve damage. Routine foot health checks can help prevent infections, ulcers and other serious issues.
Building Confidence: Addressing foot conditions like athlete’s foot or cracked heels can help individuals feel more comfortable, particularly during warmer months when open-toe footwear is common. Foot Health Practitioners offer treatments that make foot care accessible and effective.
Foot Care Tips
A simple foot care routine can keep your feet in optimal condition:
Wear appropriate footwear that provides good support.
Moisturise your feet to avoid dry or cracked skin.
Check for signs of infection, blisters or other abnormalities.
Schedule regular foot health checks to ensure continued foot and lower limb wellness.
Trim toenails regularly to prevent discomfort and injury. If you are unable to reach your feet, seek professional assistance cutting toenails.
The Footworks Social Clinic, led by Head Foot Practitioner Sarah Finucane, is a dedicated space for promoting and supporting foot and lower limb health. Sarah’s expertise and passion have made the Footworks Social a trusted resource for preventive care, treatment, and education on maintaining strong, healthy feet.
By offering personalised care, Sarah helps patients sustain active, mobile lifestyles and avoid the potential health risks associated with poor foot health.
The Footworks Social Clinic is currently running out of Luton Irish Forum, one Saturday a month. If you would like to make an appointment, please contact Sky or Nuala at the Luton Irish Forum.
Special Initiative: "Legs Matter" St. Patrick’s Day 2025
To expand Footworks’ support for lower limb health, Sarah is launching the Legs Matter initiative in honour of St. Patrick’s Day 2025. This project will focus on providing compression hosiery to older patients who need it and helping them find practical solutions for using it comfortably.
Over the next three months, Sarah and her team will measure patients at the Footworks Social Clinic at Luton Irish Forum who require compression wear, ensuring each patient receives the correct fit.
Early next year, Sarah will host a Fitting Day, where she will provide each patient with a complimentary pair of compression hosiery and showcase different types of “donning” aids to help patients easily put on their compression garments. Each patient will be provided with the donning aid that best suits their needs, making it simpler for them to incorporate compression wear into their daily routines.
Additionally, Sarah will work with each patient’s GP to request two additional pairs of compression hosiery to be prescribed through the NHS, ensuring patients have sufficient access.
By St. Patrick’s Day, the goal is for all participating patients to be fully supported by properly fitted compression hosiery. Sarah is hopeful that the clinic’s participants can walk in the Luton Irish Forum St Patrick’s Day Parade behind the “Legs Matter” banner, celebrating their strides toward better health. Sarah’s fundraising efforts for this project have already seen success, bringing the Legs Matter initiative closer to reaching even more patients in need.
Social Isolation
The Footworks social clinic not only focuses on improving the foot health of Irish elders but also works to reduce social isolation and enhance mobility. Many older individuals are already familiar with the Luton Irish Forum, and for those who aren’t, an Irish setting can feel more welcoming and accessible.
The opportunity to attend a foot appointment while enjoying a cup of tea and a conversation can reach underserved members of the community, fostering a virtuous circle.
The clinic is also offering free blood pressure checks with every appointment to keep track of patients heart health.
Sarah Finucane, The Footworks Social
Foot Health Practitioner
Contact number: 07931 342818
Email: sarahfinucane@btinternet.com
Marmalade Trust: Combatting Loneliness Together
Loneliness shouldn’t be a taboo subject. By supporting one another, we can create a society where everyone feels connected.
As the UK’s leading loneliness charity, Marmalade Trust is dedicated to helping people build meaningful connections and fostering an environment where loneliness is openly acknowledged and addressed.
Their mission is clear: “To create a society where we recognise that loneliness exists and support each other to find new social connections.”
Marmalade's Approach
Marmalade Trust views loneliness as a natural part of being human—something we all experience at times. The charity works to reduce the stigma around loneliness, encouraging open conversations and providing practical support. By acknowledging loneliness and actively connecting, we can improve well-being and mental health.
Key Campaigns
Marmalade Trust leads several impactful campaigns throughout the year:
Christmas Cheer
This initiative brings people together during the festive season, ensuring no one spends the holidays alone.
Loneliness Awareness Week
Held every June, this national campaign reduces the stigma of loneliness through open discussions and community events.
Winter Companions
This programme offers ongoing support and companionship during the colder months when loneliness can be more acute.
Understanding and Support
Marmalade Trust helps people understand that loneliness is different from being alone. The charity offers resources to manage and overcome loneliness, vital for communities that thrive on social connections.
Links
Explore the Marmalade Trust website for more information, resources, and involvement opportunities.
Support for loneliness:
Access the support you need when you're feeling lonely and discover groups and activities to help you feel more connected.
Volunteer:
Help reduce loneliness in your community by volunteering with Marmalade Trust.
Click here to read our webpage on mental health help and support