Social Prescribing

Social Prescribing in Surrey

What is social prescribing?

A service that helps people find out about opportunities in their local community that could help them to improve their health and wellbeing.

People who could benefit include people who feel low or anxious, who have been bereaved, who feel lonely, who live with long term conditions, who want to improve their physical health, who are struggling with their living arrangements, who are struggling with finances and people who are looking for employment.

The service is free to use, though some of the opportunities or support you are signposted to may carry a charge.

How do I access the service?

You can contact the social prescribing service in this area by following this link: Spelthorne Wellbeing Prescribing

Support with personal care

For support with washing , dressing, taking medication & keeping safe. Adult social care:

Telephone: 0300 200 1005

Website: Surrey Gov: Health and social care – Adults

General Support

Food Support

Water Support

Thames Water – Customer Assistance Fund – 0800 111 4680

Affinity Water – The Water Direct Scheme can also help customers with their bills. This is for Affinity Water households that get Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance. The applicant also needs to be behind on their current payments – 0800 697 982

Your Social Prescription – Getting Started

Your GP Surgery can help you access the support of a named Social Prescribing Link Worker. The Social Prescribing Link Worker works between GP Practices and the local Council in order to support and help patients with non-medical matters. However many of these services are self-referral and you can access these directly using the details supplied on this page

Good Neighbour

These schemes can offer light housework, minor household repairs, accompanying on medical appointments, shopping, collecting prescriptions, dog walking, letter writing/form filling, light gardening and help with essential transport.

The organisations are run by volunteers. They do not charge for their services but donations are appreciated.

Transport to be booked in advance.

  • Ashford Helping Hands – 07754 083 502 (Monday – Friday 10:00-14:00)
  • Care in Shepperton – 01932 254604 (Monday – Friday 09:30-12:00)
  • Sunbury Good Neighbour – 07956822546 (09:30-11:30)
  • Stanwell Good Neighbour – 07553221796 (Monday – Friday 10:00-12:00)
  • Laleham Good neighbours – 07434 433844 (10:00-14:00)
  • Good Neighbour Schemes Surrey – 01483 566072 (Monday – Friday 09:00-17:00)

Volunteer Drivers

Help to get the elderly to medical appointments eg doctor, dentist, chiropody, optician or visiting relatives in hospital or care homes. Drivers give their time freely but a charge is made to cover their expenses. Transport to be booked in advance.

Telephone: 07817 926736 (Monday-Friday 10:00-12:00)

Website: www.spelthornevolunteerdrivers.org

Energy Support

Winter Fuel Payments Website: This is a payment made to people who have reached Pension Credit age – 0800 731 0160

Cold Weather Payments Website:  If you are on certain benefits, you may be eligible for these if the weather in your area falls to 0° centigrade or below for seven days in a row – automatic payment

Warm Home Discount Website: If your electricity supplier belongs to this scheme and you’re getting the guaranted part of Pension Credit, you will automatically get an annual discount of £140 off your electricity bill. You may also be eligible if you are on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme.

Grants for Energy Efficiency Website: If you are on a low income and claim one of a range of income and disability related benefits, you may be able to get a grant to help with the costs of improving the energy efficiency of your home. For example by updating heating systems or insulation.