Social Prescriber

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Social Prescriber Support Programme

This new programme aims to bring the network of Social Prescribers (SPs) across Derbyshire together creating time and space to connect, learn, and celebrate the impact their vital work has on patients and communities.

Across the year SPs will be invited to join a mix of online study sessions, wellbeing and team development events all designed to promote shared learning, peer support, and professional growth. Quarterly newsletters will highlight success stories and insights from across the county, and the year will close with a celebration event recognising achievements and impact.

The programme will also help GPs and practice colleagues understand the role and impact of SPs through opportunities for SPs to showcase their work, demonstrating how they reduce pressure on clinical teams and improve patient health and wellbeing.

By taking part, SPs will gain opportunities to reflect on their work, strengthen professional identity, and feel more connected to other SPs working across Derbyshire, it will provide them with regular chances to pause, share experiences, and learn from one another in a supportive environment.

Key Dates:

  • 20th January 2026 – launch event at RTC Business Park, London Road, DE24 8UP, 10am – 4.30pm
  • 12th May 2026 – venue TBC
  • 17th November 2026 – venue TBC

Please click here to register your place on the programme by 16/12/25 and diary invitations will follow.

Benefits of Social Prescriber role

In the UK, one in five GP appointments is related to wider social needs rather than medical issues. Social prescribers work together with GP practices to ensure that the wider needs of patients are addressed, Social Prescribing can be the bridge between a GP and all the non-healthcare services available in the community.

Social Prescribing seeks to address people’s needs across a number of areas such as physical activity, diet and nutrition, mental health, and social support. It is often referred to as a ‘more than medicine’ approach to health and wellbeing, since the majority of long- term conditions can be prevented by lifestyle change alone.

Role Duties

Each patient’s needs will differ, social prescribing can meet many different types of non-clinical needs, ranging from support and advice for individuals experiencing:

  • Debt
  • Unemployment
  • Housing or mobility issues
  • One or more long-term conditions
  • Who need support with their mental health
  • Who are lonely or isolated
  • Who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing

Social Prescribing works effectively within the community, helping provide support to community groups or by hosting coffee mornings, green space schemes, emotional support groups, they can also carry out home visits for patients who struggle to come to the surgery.

Please note: Social Prescribers cannot: prescribe medicine, help with complex mental health issues, or diagnose health issues.

Qualification requirements

There are no formal qualification requirements, but it’s important that a social prescriber has good communication skills, and it would be helpful for the individual to have experience of offering advice, support or volunteering in the community, whilst having knowledge of local social care and health services, community and volunteering groups.

It is recommended that Social Prescribers have access to clinical supervision once a month. This will help the Social Prescriber discuss different patients who may be complex or vulnerable whilst receiving advice from somebody who is medically trained.