New Routes
Social Prescribing Project
Community Avenues to Wellbeing
New Routes aims to encourage people to use local resources, connections, community groups and initiatives.
The New Routes project is based in Keynsham with funding from Bath and North East Somerset Local Authority and PCT combined. It is a two-year pilot project that is being independently evaluated by the University of Bath. New Routes is all about ‘social prescribing', i.e. a formal way of enabling primary care services to refer patients with social or emotional needs to a range of local non-clinical services and support. The New Routes coordinators signpost patients to services and support and can help them to become involved and try new things.
Outcomes for people referred through these projects include decreased social isolation, enhanced self-esteem, opportunities for skill development, transferable skills and improved mental health and wellbeing. Social prescribing is especially useful for finding an alternative to the GP and thereby reducing the pressure currently placed on medical practitioners.
Reports
Events
1. Care Beyond the Surgery Event - 24 November 2010
Care Beyond Surgery event flyer
Care Beyond Surgery panel notes
DHI Wellbeing Project Presentation
University of Bath Social Prescribing Presentation
New Routes Social Prescribing Presentation
Alex McNeil keynote presentation
2. View the New Routes launch event November 2009
New Routes Coordinators are:
Sarah Richardson
sarahrichardson@thecareforum.org.uk
Telephone 0117 958 9309
Sandeep Saprai
sandeepsaprai@thecareforum.org.uk
Telephone: 0117 958 9303
For further information:
New Routes Social Prescribing Mid-Project Report Summary June 2010
Link to TCF Social prescribing information sheet
Telephone: 0117 958 9303
