Rotherham Social Prescribing Service
What is the Rotherham Social Prescribing Service?
The Rotherham Social Prescribing Service (RSPS) is a service targeted at adults in Rotherham aged 18 plus who are identified as needing additional non-medical support to maintain and improve health and wellbeing. Referrals into the service can only come from health practitioners working in Primary Care Networks (PCNs), community respiratory services, community mental health services or hospital teams discharging patients home.
The service is based at Voluntary Action Rotherham and consists of a Service Manager, an Administration & Support Officer and a team of Social Prescribers (known as VCS Advisors).
The main aim of the service is to improve the mental and physical health of people by addressing social factors that can lead to worsening health and wellbeing; supporting people to become more socially connected, independent, confident, resilient and able to self-care. People accessing the service have been found to be more likely to continue living at home independently and become less dependent on statutory health and social care services in the longer term.
The service operates in close in partnership with health and adult social care teams to improve patient outcomes by engaging with people before they experience significant health deterioration or crisis point is reached. This is done by supporting the planning of integrated and proactive care for people living in the community who are at high risk of:
Unplanned hospital admissions and readmissions
Attending accident and emergency
Becoming dependent on mental health services
Worsening physical and psychological health
Being admitted into residential care prematurely
The Social Prescribers in the RSPS team offer people advice on a wide range of community, statutory and public services in Rotherham and contact services on people’s behalf when needed. They also offer supported referrals to a range of voluntary and community services, commissioned by the service to deliver direct support where people need it most. Commissioned services, many delivered in people’s homes, include practical help such as advocacy and help to check benefits and claim benefits; social support may include befrienders and enablers who can spend time with people taking them out or to join social groups or light exercise opportunities; emotional support may include lower-level counselling or bereavement support groups.
The Rotherham Social Prescribing Service is commissioned and funded by NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.
For further information please contact:
Email: RotherhamSocial.PrescribingServices@varotherham.org.uk
Referral enquiries: rsps.admin@nhs.net
Please visit our Contact Page for the teams' details
Here are some early warning signs that you should be aware of that can suggest something may be harming your mental health. These can be one or a number of the following:
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mood swings or constantly feeling low
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lack of care for personal appearance or personal responsibilities
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increased use of alcohol or drugs
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thinking life is not worth living
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losing interest in things you used to enjoy
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withdrawing from social activities and spending less time with friends and family
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disturbed sleep, either not getting enough or sleeping too much
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eating less than normal or overeating, perhaps losing or gaining weight
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feeling irritable, over-sensitive or aggressive
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having difficulty concentrating or remembering things
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experiencing recurring physical symptoms such as aches and pains or other unexplained illnesses
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a drop in work performance
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doing things that don’t make sense to others
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hearing or seeing things that no one else can hear or see
If you can relate to any of these warning signs, it’s important that you seek help. Talk to a friend or a family member and speak to your GP about support services available to you.
In 2008, the New Economics Foundation identified the key things that contribute to wellbeing. Similar to the concept of eating 5-a-day, the 5 Ways to Wellbeing focuses on mental health and the steps we can all take to protect, maintain and improve our mental wellbeing. The 5 Ways to Wellbeing have been developed by individual organisations over the years, however, they still follow the same principles:
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Be active
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Connect
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Give
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Keep learning
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Take notice
Further information on the principles – and the activities you may want to consider – is available on the NHS and Rotherham Council websites:
https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/homepage/91/five-ways-to-wellbeing/
RotherHive is a dedicated website which provides a range of verified practical mental health and wellbeing information, support and advice for adults in Rotherham.
Developed by NHS Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), RotherHive has practical tips, national, local and online services, organisations and groups that adults in Rotherham can access for expert advice to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing. It covers areas such as (this list is not exhaustive):
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Mental Health, including around COVID-19
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Bereavement
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Carers
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Depression, anxiety and stress
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Domestic abuse
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Alcohol and drugs
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Gambling
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Homelessness
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Suicide prevention
Further information on the principles – and the activities you may want to consider – is available on the NHS and Rotherham Council websites:
https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/homepage/91/five-ways-to-wellbeing/
If you need immediate help regarding your wellbeing or mental health, the following services are available:
999
If you are in a life-threatening medical or mental health emergency (when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk), you should phone the emergency services and ask for an ambulance and potentially the police.
If you are not sure what to do, NHS111 can help – they will ask questions about your symptoms so you get the help you need.
You can contact emergency services via SMS if you are deaf, hearing impaired or have a speech impediment. You will need to register your phone to use this service ( https://www.emergencysms.net ).
SHOUT
SHOUT provides FREE, confidential crisis text support for anyone needing immediate assistance. Text “SHOUT” to 85258 or visit the SHOUT crisis text line website (https://giveusashout.org ).
Samaritans
Samaritans offer FREE 24-hour, 365 days a year listening support on 116 123 or email: jo@samaritans.org. For further information, visit: https://www.samaritans.org
Rotherham 24/7 Crisis Helpline
Rotherham’s dedicated 24/7 crisis helpline supports those who need urgent help regarding their mental health. Calls are FREE on 0800 652 9571.
Anyone who is unable to use a standard telephone line can use their text service on 0794 603610.
GP support
Mental health services are free on the NHS but in some cases you will need a referral from your GP to access them. Whilst the pandemic has brought with it pressure on GP services, the NHS remains ‘open for business’ and contacting your GP surgery is a useful first step regarding your physical and mental wellbeing. Your GP will be able to signpost you to mental health services as appropriate.
NHS111
If you need help but are not at risk of death, serious illness or imminent harm then you can access NHS111 non-emergency advice online at https://111.nhs.uk. You should only call 111 if you cannot get help online.
If you’re deaf or hearing impaired you can use the NHS111 British Sign Language (BSL) service: https://www.signvideo.co.uk/nhs111
Rotherham and Barnsley Mind
Rotherham and Barnsley Mind is an independent local provider of mental health services in Rotherham, Barnsley and its surrounding areas. Rotherham and Barnsley Mind can be contacted on 01709 919929 or 01226 211188 or email: contactus@rbmind.co.uk
For further information please visit: http://www.rbmind.co.uk
Rotherham Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Team
The Rotherham IAPT Team provides help to adults who are experiencing common mental health problems including Depression, Stress and Anxiety by offering a range of talking therapies. Referrals are generally through an individual’s GP. For further information, please visit: https://iapt.rdash.nhs.uk
Mind
Mind is a mental health charity that provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. It campaigns to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding of mental health. For further information, please visit: http://mind.org.uk/information-support/
Mind can be contacted on 0300 123 3393 (calls charged at local rates from a UK landline, charges from mobile phones vary depending on provider). Mind can alos be contacted at: info@mind.org.uk.
