Petrus Community social prescribing project one of five in GM to receive funding boost

A nature-based project by Petrus Community is one of five Greater Manchester schemes to receive a funding boost, supporting efforts to improve community mental health and wellbeing in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The successful bids will build on Greater Manchester’s already well-established social prescribing offer to provide much needed help and support in local communities, whilst sharing learning across the city region and nationally.

Following a rigorous application process, the successful ‘green social prescribing projects’ were selected by a panel led by Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership. The projects will be rooted in the community – being run and staffed by volunteers and used by local people. They will see local partners working together with activity being led by a voluntary sector organisation.

Social prescribing takes a holistic approach to people's health and wellbeing, by connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.

The funding will enable Petrus Community provide opportunities such as nature activity kits, cycling, walks, outdoor exercise and education in Rochdale and break down barriers.

 

 

Petrus service manager, Rachael Bennion said: “Through developing our network at a boroughwide and Greater Manchester level it will enable us to support the health and wellbeing of our community through green activity to create safe spaces where all people can flourish.

“By working in partnership together we can support those in our community most impacted by Covid and in doing so build a more cohesive, resilient, and healthier community. Our long-term dream would be to see green care available to all, close by to their home and linked with their GP practices.”

Greater Manchester was selected as one of seven government ‘Green Social Prescribing Test and Learn’ sites and awarded £500,000 to fund two-year pilot nature-based pilot projects.

The aim is to engage with individuals most at risk of developing poor mental health and create the activities and support they need, whilst making the most of the natural environment.

Social prescribing schemes in the region have continued to expand at pace during the Covid-19 outbreak and become an essential part of the emergency response effort.

• A social prescribing referral now happens every five minutes of the working day
• 8 in 10 GPs are referring to social prescribing schemes
• 26,000 people have been supported through social prescribing over the past year
• 200 social prescribing link workers are helping people to make valuable community connections

Since the start of the pandemic, social prescribing schemes across the city region have seen large increases in referrals, with estimates that 75% of referrals are for mental health support.

Sophie Glinka, lead for social prescribing, Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership said: “The pandemic has really challenged us all over the past year. It has exacerbated mental illness and inequalities and we know far too many people are currently feeling anxious, unhappy and not satisfied with life. We also know that many of us find green space hugely important to our health and wellbeing.”

“This green social prescribing work will help us connect many more people with nature-based activities, building on the assets in our communities and the strengths, hopes and personal interests people have, by offering support that is more personalised around what people want and need to support their health and wellbeing.”