Link Workers in Social Prescribing for Young People work: a case study from Sheffield

Article

Farina, I., Bertotti, M., Masella, C. and Sangiorgi, D. 2023. Link Workers in Social Prescribing for Young People work: a case study from Sheffield. International Journal of Integrated Care. 24 (Art. 8), pp. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.7551
AuthorsFarina, I., Bertotti, M., Masella, C. and Sangiorgi, D.
Abstract

Introduction: Social Prescribing has an established recognition regarding the benefits provided to the health-related social needs of adults, but little is known about how the intervention addresses young people’s needs. There is optimism regarding the central role of two core mechanisms that allows social prescribing to be effective, such as the empathetic role of Link Workers and the connection with community resources.

This paper aims to describe the role played by Link Workers working a Social Prescribing intervention targeting young people.

Description: This paper adopts a case study methodology to describe the role of Link Workers addressing young people’s needs and implementing Social Prescribing scheme in Sheffield (UK). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with four of the seven link workers of one organisation based in Sheffield. Data were analysed through an inductive approach for emerging themes.

Discussion: We provided a description of the profiles and background of Link Workers and described the three models of referral pathways into the intervention. The paper also shows how Link Workers identify young people's needs and how they connect with the community.

Conclusion: Based on the insights and the internationally accepted definition of Social Prescribing, we provide a visual representation of the Social Prescribing model and discuss challenges. The paper highlights lessons learned and future directions regarding the role of Link Workers from the case study

KeywordsSocial Prescribing; Link Workers; Children and Young People
JournalInternational Journal of Integrated Care
Journal citation24 (Art. 8), pp. 1-13
ISSN1568-4156
Year2023
PublisherUbiquity Press
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Anyone
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.7551
Publication dates
Online07 Feb 2024
Publication process dates
Accepted24 Oct 2023
Deposited12 Dec 2023
Copyright holder© 2023, The Authors
Permalink -

https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/8x07w

Log in to edit

Download files

Publisher's version
65c37d6b50ada.pdf
License: CC BY 4.0
File access level: Anyone

  • 66
    total views
  • 79
    total downloads
  • 8
    views this month
  • 2
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Building the economic evidence case for social prescribing
Polley, M., Seers, H., Toye, O., Henkin, T., Waterson, H., Bertotti, M. and Chatterjee, H.J. 2023. Building the economic evidence case for social prescribing. London National Academy for Social Prescribing.
Barriers and facilitators to social prescribing in child and youth mental health: Perspectives from the frontline
Hayes, D., Olsson, A., Begum, S., Bertotti, M., Jarvis-Beesley, P. and Stapley, E. 2023. Barriers and facilitators to social prescribing in child and youth mental health: Perspectives from the frontline. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. In Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-023-02257-x
Common health assets protocol: a mixed-methods, realist evaluation and economic appraisal of how community-led organisations (CLOs) impact on the health and well-being of people living in deprived areas
Baker, R. M., Ahmed, M., Bertotti, M., Cassidy, J., Chipuriro, R., Clewett, E., Donaldson, C., Elders, A., Fenge, L. A., Fox, J., Galway, K., Gildea, A., McGuinness, A., McLean, J., Manoukian, S., Mason, H., Morgan, A., Mulholland, J., O'Hare, L., Paterson, A., Porter, S., Rendall, J., Roy, M. J., Seaman, P., Simpson, M., Steiner, A. and Kelly, M. P. 2023. Common health assets protocol: a mixed-methods, realist evaluation and economic appraisal of how community-led organisations (CLOs) impact on the health and well-being of people living in deprived areas. BMJ Open. 13 (Art. e069979). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069979
Evaluation of the Integrated Social Prescribing Model in Redbridge
Bertotti, M., Hanafiah, A. and Canitrot, D. 2022. Evaluation of the Integrated Social Prescribing Model in Redbridge. Institute for Connected Communities, University of East London.
Do people perceive benefits in the use of social prescribing to address loneliness and/or social isolation? A qualitative meta-synthesis of the literature
Liebmann, M., Pitman, A., Hsueh, YC., Bertotti, M. and Pearce, E. 2022. Do people perceive benefits in the use of social prescribing to address loneliness and/or social isolation? A qualitative meta-synthesis of the literature. BMC Health Services Research. 22 (Art. 1264). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08656-1
Social prescribing for children and young people
Bertotti, M., Hayes, D., Berry, V., Jarvis-Beesley, P. and Husk, K. 2022. Social prescribing for children and young people. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health . 6 (12), pp. 835-837. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(22)00248-6
Factors affecting the sustainability of community mental health assets: A systematic review
Moore, A., Bertotti, M., Hanafiah, A. and Hayes, D. 2022. Factors affecting the sustainability of community mental health assets: A systematic review. Health and Social Care in the Community. 30 (6), pp. e3369-e3383. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13929
The frontline of social prescribing – how do we ensure Link Workers can work safely and effectively within primary care?
Frostick, C. and Bertotti, M. 2021. The frontline of social prescribing – how do we ensure Link Workers can work safely and effectively within primary care? Chronic Illness. 17 (4), pp. 404-415. https://doi.org/10.1177/1742395319882068
A two-year evaluation of the Young People Social Prescribing (YPSP) pilot
Bertotti, M., Frostick, C., Sharpe, D. and Temirov, O. 2020. A two-year evaluation of the Young People Social Prescribing (YPSP) pilot. Institute for Connected Communities, University of East London.
An Evaluation of Social Prescribing in the London Borough of Redbridge: Final Evaluation Report
Bertotti, M., Frostick, C. and Temirov, O. 2020. An Evaluation of Social Prescribing in the London Borough of Redbridge: Final Evaluation Report. Institute for Health and Human Development, University of East London.
Outcome and Economic Evaluation of City and Hackney Social Prescribing Scheme
Bertotti, M. and Temirov, O. 2020. Outcome and Economic Evaluation of City and Hackney Social Prescribing Scheme. Institute for Health and Human Development, University of East London.
Evaluation of Redbridge Active Together: Final Report
Bertotti, M., Frostick, C., Temirov, O., Sanusi, O., Dan-Ogosi, I. and Buscombe, R. 2020. Evaluation of Redbridge Active Together: Final Report. Institute for Health and Human Development, University of East London.
Investing resources to address social factors affecting health: The essential role of social prescribing
Jani, A., Bertotti, M., Lazzari, A., Drinkwater, C., Addarii, F., Conibear, J. and Gray, M. 2020. Investing resources to address social factors affecting health: The essential role of social prescribing. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 113 (1), pp. 24-27. https://doi.org/10.1177/0141076819864
A Systematic Map of the UK Literature on Navigation Roles in Primary Care: Social Prescribing Link Workers in Context
Bertotti, M., Haque, H., Lombardo, C., Potter, S. and Harden, A. 2019. A Systematic Map of the UK Literature on Navigation Roles in Primary Care: Social Prescribing Link Workers in Context. Institute for Health and Human Development, University of East London.
Social Prescribing in General Practice
Frostick, C. and Bertotti, M. 2019. Social Prescribing in General Practice. British Journal of General Practice. 68 (688), pp. 538-539. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp19X706157
A realist evaluation of social prescribing: an exploration into the context and mechanisms underpinning a pathway linking primary care with the voluntary sector
Bertotti, M., Frostick, C., Hutt, Patrick, Sohanpal, Ratna and Carnes, Dawn 2018. A realist evaluation of social prescribing: an exploration into the context and mechanisms underpinning a pathway linking primary care with the voluntary sector. Primary Health Care Research & Development. 19 (3), pp. 232-245. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1463423617000706
A review of the evidence assessing impact of social prescribing on healthcare demand and cost implications
Polley, Marie, Bertotti, M., Kimberlee, Richard and Pilkington, K. 2017. A review of the evidence assessing impact of social prescribing on healthcare demand and cost implications. University of Westminster.
Workplace well-being in the London-Chinese business community
Bertotti, M., Dan-Ogosi, I. and Rao, Mala 2017. Workplace well-being in the London-Chinese business community. International Journal of Workplace Health Management. 10 (2), pp. 86-100. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-05-2016-0035
The Social Prescribing Service in the London Borough of Waltham Forest: Final Evaluation Report
Bertotti, M., Frostick, C., Tong, J. and Netuveli, G. 2017. The Social Prescribing Service in the London Borough of Waltham Forest: Final Evaluation Report. Institute for Health and Human Development, University of East London.
The impact of a social prescribing service on patients in primary care: a mixed methods evaluation
Carnes, Dawn, Sohanpal, Ratna, Frostick, C., Hull, Sally, Mathur, Rohini, Netuveli, G., Tong, Jin, Hutt, Patrick and Bertotti, M. 2017. The impact of a social prescribing service on patients in primary care: a mixed methods evaluation. BMC Health Services Research. 17 (Art. 835). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2778-y
From Isolation to Interaction: Developing a Network, to Share Learning, Develop Outcome Measures, and Endure the Potential Of Social Prescribing Meets the Needs of the NHS
Bertotti, M. and Frostick, C. 2016. From Isolation to Interaction: Developing a Network, to Share Learning, Develop Outcome Measures, and Endure the Potential Of Social Prescribing Meets the Needs of the NHS. The Health Foundation.
Shine 2014 Final Report: Social Prescribing: integrating GP and Community Assets for Health
Bertotti, M., Frostick, C., Findlay, G., Harden, A., Netuveli, G., Renton, A., Carnes, D., Sohanpal, R. and Hull, S. 2015. Shine 2014 Final Report: Social Prescribing: integrating GP and Community Assets for Health. The Health Foundation.
Changes in health outcomes in diabetic and pre-diabetic patients in the Newham Community Prescribing pilot project: analysis of pre and post data
Bertotti, M., Watts, P., Akhter, I. and Eselebor, D. 2014. Changes in health outcomes in diabetic and pre-diabetic patients in the Newham Community Prescribing pilot project: analysis of pre and post data. Institute for Health and Human Development, University of East London.
Types of Social Capital and Mental Disorder in Deprived Urban Areas: A Multilevel Study of 40 Disadvantaged London Neighbourhoods
Bertotti, M., Watts, Paul, Netuveli, G., Yu, Ge, Schmidt, Elena, Tobi, P., Lais, Shahana and Renton, A. 2013. Types of Social Capital and Mental Disorder in Deprived Urban Areas: A Multilevel Study of 40 Disadvantaged London Neighbourhoods. PLoS ONE. 8 (12), p. e80127.
Key barriers to community cohesion: views from residents of 20 London deprived neighbourhoods
Bertotti, M., Adams-Eaton, F., Sheridan, K. and Renton, A. 2011. Key barriers to community cohesion: views from residents of 20 London deprived neighbourhoods. GeoJournal. 47 (2), pp. 168-183.
The contribution of a social enterprise to the building of social capital in a disadvantaged urban area of London
Bertotti, M., Harden, A., Renton, A. and Sheridan, K. 2012. The contribution of a social enterprise to the building of social capital in a disadvantaged urban area of London. Community Development Journal. 47 (2), pp. 168-183.
Reconsidering private sector engagement in subnational economic governance
Syrett, Stephen and Bertotti, M. 2012. Reconsidering private sector engagement in subnational economic governance. Environment and Planning A. 44 (10), pp. 2310-2326.
A multilevel analysis of the association between social networks and support on leisure time physical activity: evidence from 40 disadvantaged areas in London
Yu, Ge, Renton, A., Schmidt, Elena, Tobi, Patrick, Bertotti, M., Watts, P. and Lais, Shahana 2011. A multilevel analysis of the association between social networks and support on leisure time physical activity: evidence from 40 disadvantaged areas in London. Health & Place. 17 (5), pp. 1023-1029.