National Social Prescribing Day 2024

A NATIONAL day to celebrate social prescribing is being marked in Clacton and Harwich with an afternoon of activities. 

Community Voluntary Services Tendring (CVST) has a team of social prescribers who work in Tendring in GP surgeries, the hospitals, and within its hubs 

They can help residents with weight management, befriending, loneliness and isolation, low level mental health, getting active, and much more. 

To help the community understand how social prescribing works and what it could do for them, CVST is hosting a Social Prescribing Day event at both its headquarters in Imperial House, Rosemary Road, Clacton and it’s Dovercourt and Harwich Hub in High Street, Dovercourt. 

There will be free NHS health checks, Henna demonstrations, a range of organisations available to offer advice and information, access to social prescribers, refreshments and more. 

Sharon Dixon, head of communities at CVST, said: “Social Prescribing is a really important part of looking after our community in a way that takes pressure off our health services. 

“And it can really change lives, whether that’s helping someone to get out of the house to make friends or get more active, or it could be supporting someone in being discharged from hospital. 

“What’s key is the overall wellbeing of our community, and helping with the issues that they might not know who to turn to for support. 

“We want residents to know that we can help them. 

“So come along to our events on National Social Prescribing Day, enjoy what we have on offer and find out how social prescribing can help you.” 

She added: “We’re really looking forward to celebrating all that social prescribing does and showcasing the extent of what we can offer. 

“The term social prescribing isn’t all that well known by residents so we want to open our doors and invite the community in to learn more.” 

CVST’s social prescribers are linked to GP surgeries across Tendring, but you can also just call up to ask for advice. 

National Social Prescribing Day is being held on Thursday, March 14 with events at Imperial House and the Dovercourt and Harwich Hub being held from 12noon to 4.30pm. 

Just turn up to find out more about Social Prescribing and celebrate the national day. 

For more information call 01255 425692 or visit www.cvstendring.org.uk.