Social Prescribing Report -Oasis Partnership - 2022-23

OASIS SOCIAL PRESCRIBING PROJECT

SOCIAL PRESCRIBING INTRODUCTION

The Oasis Partnership Social Prescribing Project launched in June 2022, kindly supported by the Rothschild Foundation through their Covid 19 Support Fund. Our social prescribing model was developed following research into existing structures and responding to the needs of the community in Chesham and The Chilterns.

The Oasis Partnership is proud to have supported 297 individuals through the Social Prescribing Project over the past 12 months (see Table1 for details), and to have established links with the local community. This report sets out to review in detail how the project has progressed and adapted, the strengths and challenges of the project, and where we see social prescribing helping the community in the future.

The Oasis Partnership operates a multiagency model, working with local and national organisations. Working alongside various charities including the National Association for Social Prescribing (NASP), The Local Community Board, Sunflower Project (Ukrainian support), and Chesham Library Bucks Mind, Age UK, Chiltern Open Air Museum, Citizens Advise Bureau, Wycombe Homeless Action, Connections, and Talk Back has been pivotal to the success of the project. The Oasis Partnerships Social Prescriber also works closely with NHS counterparts including NHS social prescribers, GP’s, care coordinators, social workers, psychiatrists, and numerous members of the adult mental health team (AMHT). As a result, our social prescribing directory of professionals met over the last year, who receive regular updates on our services, has over 200 contacts.

297

Individual people supported

Age: Average = 42 Range = 18-84

77% of Referrals ended in a positive outcome

Gender: 36% Male 64% female

Table 1. Total monthly lives touched May 2022-April2023 through social prescribing, including clients attending social prescribing groups (Bagnall Brew and Biscuits, and Sewing Circle), and clients supported for more than one month.

Table 2. Number of sessions social prescribing clients engaged with out of a total of 297 individual clients from May 2022-April 2023.

STRENGTHS

Non-clinical setting

The Oasis Partnership Social Prescribing Project based at the Bagnall Project, a community hub that offers a range of services. Being based in situ alongside other services is beneficial; allowing clients to become acquainted with our nonclinical setting, meeting staff, and familiarize themselves with the environment where sessions happen before attending.

Easy access

Social prescribing works in a person centred holistic manner and is open to anyone over 18. Individuals can self-refer, by phone, email, or dropping into one of The Oasis Partnerships offices. This means clients do not need to go through their GP, or meet in a clinical setting, helping achieve our aim of reducing barriers to accessing services. The benefit of this is reflected in the 70% of clients who are not known to other services, and may have otherwise fallen through the gaps, and 77% of all referrals resulting in a positive outcome.

Flexibility

Once a referred, clients attend an initial assessment where a wellbeing plan is created, this can include recommendations for groups and activities, support services, details of referrals and applications to other services, depending on their individual needs. A strength of The Oasis Partnership Social Prescribing Project is its flexibility, including ways people can enquire and refer, how many times clients can engage with the social prescriber (see Table 2), and the social prescriber being able to attend activities and meetings with clients. The charity is in a unique position to be able to develop its group activities in response to client needs, for example changing the time of the sewing sessions so clients had time for lunch beforehand, after which, we saw an increase in attendance.

Partnership working

Part of working flexibly and creatively is engaging in partnerships with the local community to establish referral pathways, and in signposting individuals to activities, especially smaller lesser known groups such as The Waterside Community Garden, books clubs, and The Countrymen's Club. A key strength of the project has been the network of local and national organisations that are now partners of the charity.

Communication streams

As a new service, it has been beneficial to adapt and evolve based on client needs and best practice. This has seen the charity implementing excellent communication channels to engage with clients including the use of phone calls, text messaging, online meeting and Whatsapp messages. For example, setting up a text reminder for the community café as clients were struggling to remember to attend.

Table 3. Most common reasons for closed cases

Promoting the service

Promoting the service in the first 6 months was a challenge but we built our reputation and in turn good connections with NHS workers. We attended community events, professional networking forums and soon referrals started coming in.

Complexity of clients

Following our elevated reputation, we began engaging with more clients supported by other mental health services, and encountering some clients whose circumstances were too complex for the low level community intervention social prescribing provides. In these instances, we went back to the referrer and sign posted clients to relevant crisis support services, with an open door to return when they are in a more suitable position for our support.

Not knowing what Social Prescribing is

Whilst through promoting the service the charity has raised awareness of social prescribing, there are still members of the community that are unaware of what is involved and how social prescribing can support them something also encountered by NHS staff. Moreover, many health and well-being workers are equally unaware of social prescribing. To address this challenge we have developed information on our website, youtube videos and podcasts explaining the essence of social prescribing, what is involved and how this can be beneficial to the community and individuals.

During National Social Prescribing Week, a campaign coordinated by NSPA, the charity ran an online educational campaign on all social media channels.

Social Prescribing Episode on The Oasis Partnership Podcast

"[…] I feel I'm getting back on track now I have some structure, thanks to you" - Terry

"I walked into the Bagnall Project, ad-hoc last year, looking for advice on the arts and crafts project […]. I was introduced to Zoë, who was kind enough to sit and discuss my current situation and what I was looking for […], Zoë was kind enough to go through everything with me there and then […]. Having a cognitive impairment, my memory is not the best, and also having several other mental health issues, I was comforted by how she handled my situation, and made my anxiety ease, so I felt able to open up and discuss what has been going on.

Throughout the year, Zoë has assisted me with many different things, from working with my housing support worker at connection support, assisting with filling in forms, and also finding and referring me to various courses / organisation's […]. This has been done with my consent, and with my well being at the forefront of her mind. I cannot thank Zoë enough for her continued support […], from brew and biscuits on a Wednesday, to encouraging me with my woodwork, and helping find a safe place where I can do this.

I think it's fair to say, that from someone going into a situation without any prior knowledge, prior booking and just going to ask a question about art, I was welcomed and aided in so many more areas than I expected. I'd like to say thank you for all your hard work, and support, in the past and moving forward." - Dave

Helped several clients submit art works to a local exhibition

Assisted with 4 PIP applications

Successful helping hands applications paying off council tax and rent arrears, replacing broken white goods, and providing fuel vouchers

Regular food bank referalls

"The first interview/ experience was formally informal. Once I started (chair) yoga I found […] it fulfils my need to keep mobile. The social prescribing of sewing circle […] has been amazing. I have found a niche i didn’t know I had nor needed. During my initial interview my interests and talents were identified and responded to in a subtle and supportive way. I really like the way I can come to Bagnall without being judged, intimidated, or undermined." - Lucy

"You've helped my son with his needs while I wasn't around you've been a great help with money food a great support overall and social with getting out and about reminding and being there and as a mother you've reassured me and given great support" – Emily (mum of client)

Clients artwork on display at exhibition

BAGNALL BREW AND BISCUITS

Bagnall Brew and Biscuits (BBB) is a weekly community café, started in May 2022, run and maintained under The Oasis Partnership Social Prescribing Project umbrella.

BBB provides a welcoming, non-judgemental, safe space where people can drop in without an appointment to have a cuppa, play board games and socialize. It has been very successful (See Table 4 for details), with an average of 10 people attending each session and friendships developing between attendees.

During the winter months BBB acted as a warm space where people could receive a hot drink, biscuits, and enquire about help and support if needed.

Individuals don't need to attend on time or every week, there is no financial obligation, attendees have the choice to sit and chat, or not, and the choice to play games if they would like. There is always a member of staff and volunteer present to help facilitate conversation, set up games between people, and importantly, recognize if someone requires further support.

The Oasis Partnership celebrated BBB’s one-year anniversary in May 2023, with the Bagnall Brew and Biscuits Big Birthday Bonanza. 38 clients, staff and volunteers attended the celebration, which included home baked goods, party food, birthday decorations, and games. There was a free raffle with donations from local businesses including dinner and music at a local restaurant, haircut, handmade glass etching donated by a client (see below), and vouchers for several local café’s.

"Thanks for referring me to the activities run at the Bagnall Centre, I can't believe I've been going for over 18 months now, Guitar with Jon is a blast and meeting up with the Brew and Biscuits Gang is the highlight of my week, I hope I can get on Molly's Cooking class again. As a SSAFA Caseworker it's great knowing you're there to refer Ex Service Personnel for support/advice. Thanks again for all you and the team do." - Alfie

Table 4. Monthly attendance to Bagnall Brew and Biscuits May 2022 - April 2023

Donated Glass Etching

Bagnall Brew & Biscuits Big Birthday Bonanza

Birthday Buffet

The sewing circle is the second group set up by The Oasis Partnership social prescriber. The group has 6 regular members with a mixture of experience of knitting, crocheting, and embroidering, and others who are just starting out, oftentimes, those with more experience assisting others who need guidance. The group is made up of predominantly women, but with a range of ages from 22-80.

The support of local charity Work Aid allowed us to stat the group by offering free materials following the generous donations of second hand material, wool and haberdashery. Clients can use materials provided such as knitting needles, yarn, embroidery silks etc. at no cost. This has helped us to ensure the group is accessible to all, as financial barriers were cited as a reason clients were not engaging with craft groups in the community.

Earlier this year the group made blankets they donate to local hospitals. Over the Christmas period many attendees made Christmas gifts, while others who are grandparents are often making blankets and garments for grandchildren in their lives.

All individuals in the group have differing needs, including being lonely and socially isolated, some are carers, some people in recovery, and experiencing physical and/or mental health difficulties.

The mental health benefits of the arts are now widely accepted, and doing so in a group setting employs a social element. Crafting while socializing is particularly helpful for individuals who find group settings difficult, it creates instant common ground and a talking point 'what project are you working on?', while keeping hands busy helps ease anxiety and maintain grounded in the moment.

Over time, the group opened up about their life experiences, finding common ground with people they wouldn't usually meet. The group often 'shoot the breeze' and have a good laugh accompanied by cups of tea and biscuits. At times, more talking and drinking tea is accomplished than the projects at hand!

As the group has become closer, different acts of kindness have been witnessed, by sharing, from craft knowledge and patterns, to freshly baked cakes at Easter, plants from peoples gardens, and even fresh vegetables from allotments, building a sense of community amongst the crafters.

‘"The sewing circle has been a great place to meet other likeminded people. Kindness, understanding, empathy is at the heart of each meeting which is accessed by people with diverse needs. Some want to learn new skills and others want to just be with others. For me, the sewing circle has enabled me to place perspective to my own set of circumstances and I have found a genuinely caring environment which gives me solace when needed." - Jane

Table5.MonthlyattendancetoSewingCircleMay2022-April2023

MaterialsdonatedbyWorkaid

ClientsCrossStitchSquirrel

CONCLUSION

The Oasis Partnership is very proud of year one of its Social Prescribing Project in both quality of service and quantity of lives touched.

The charity has built relationships with various charities, statutory services, businesses, faith, and community based groups in Chesham and the Chilterns. New referral pathways continue to become established, while maintaining a steady flow of referrals.

Moving forward, it is committed to providing a reliable, consistent, and sustainable service, while growing its client base. The Oasis Partnership will continue to raise the profile of social prescribing; the more people that are aware of the service, the more people will access and therefore benefit from it. The charity is especially passionate that anyone and everyone can benefit from social prescribing.

The Oasis Partnership will continue to expand the service by increasing its geographical reach, replicating services across sites in Buckinghamshire.

The charity looks forward to strengthening social prescribing in different areas, such as drug and alcohol services with its partnership with NHS Inclusion to deliver the One Recovery Bucks service.

Following the success of the projects groups, the charity will develop more sessions with the help of our growing number of volunteers.

The past year has demonstrated that health and wellbeing is truly individual, and so should be treated in that way. No two clients referred are the same, and so the support provided should be approached accordingly, utilizing a creative mind set and approach.