Social Prescribing is an approach to health care that provides a pathway for health providers to address the social determinants of health such as food insecurity, social isolation, and income by making referrals to social and community supports.
In October 2022 the Community Health Centres of Northumberland was lucky enough to receive a grant from the Government of Ontario from the Seniors Community Grant Program to support initiating a social prescribing program at the Centre. The mission of this program is to reduce feelings of isolation, encourage self-care management and strengthen the safety and wellbeing of our most marginalized clients.
In order to support clients in an efficient and timely manner, we created a referral pathway in our EMR system so Primary Care along with other providers (i.e. Counsellors, Dietitians, Diabetes Team, Dental and GAIN team) could easily make a referral for social and wellness supports, such as food, exercise, social groups, support groups, digital equity and assistance with navigating information. Part of this grant also allowed us to hire a Community Connector, who worked with clients to help meet their needs and check in on a regular basis. Funding from this grant not only allowed us to help clients navigate their social and wellness needs, but also allowed us to support the financial cost of many of these services, while at the same time support many local community organizations and businesses.
Total # of clients referred: 60 clients (ranging in age)
Total # of service referrals: 93
Examples of How Clients were Supported:
- 16 clients were referred for social and cultural supports. For social and cultural connections, clients have been connected to Art classes at the Municipality of Port Hope, memberships to the Ruth Clarke, along with day passes to the YMCA.
- 22 clients have been connected with in-person and virtual exercise classes in the community, from programs at the CHCN, Ruth Clarke, Community Care and YMCA. Clients have also been provided with exercise kits to assist their workouts at home and in class.
- 9 clients were referred for food support, they are receiving a food box either weekly or bi-weekly or receiving food support through meals on wheels.
- 16 clients were referred for digital equity support. Clients who were referred for digital equity support range from home computer support, lent an iPad and given training, assistance with connecting to a zoom class or support with accessing a mobile phone with data so they can connect with family, friends and community supports.
- 7 clients have been provided with support to volunteer opportunities. Clients who were referred for volunteering have been connected to opportunities at the CHCN, or provided info on other opportunities in the community.
- 16 clients were referred for wellness supports. Clients who were referred for wellness supports, ranged from connections to our Friendly check in call program, where they are connected to a volunteer caller, to counselling supports and support groups for caregivers and grief.
