Sometimes patients visit their GP for reasons other than medical issues as a result of not knowing where to get support for their wider social issues, which have a significant, negative impact on their health. There is increasing acceptance that sources of support in local communities have an important role to play alongside clinical care or even as an alternative in improving someone’s individual health and well-being outcomes. Well-being services offer people a wide range of sources of support within the community, improving emotional and physical well-being and reducing social isolation. The services are often provided by people working and volunteering in the third sector or independent sector, complementing the role played by statutory organisations.

Social Prescribers/ Well-being Advisors in Tywi Taf are link workers, based in GP practices, who support patients with their non-medical issues and help them to access appropriate support within the local community, for example around volunteering, employment, benefits, housing, debt, parenting and physical activity. Tywi /Taf Locality currently fund two full time social prescribers.  Patients are able to self-refer to see a Social Prescriber/ Well-being Advisor through their GP practice using the following self-referral form: