Local Support

The Social Prescribing Team

Lots of things can make us feel unwell. Some of these are medical problems that need medical treatment, others are more about the difficulties we all face, at times, in our day-to-day lives.

These difficulties can include issues with work or studies, money worries or housing problems, loneliness or relationship issues, or difficulty in finding the time or motivation to make healthy choices.

Social Prescribers work with people aged 18+ and can support you to connect to all the different non-medical services, support, activities and opportunities that exist locally and in your community. They work with you to find support that is tailored to your needs, and which could improve your health and wellbeing, helping you to live life to the full.

A Social Prescriber is someone who:

• you can talk to and who will listen;
• is practical, helpful and will not judge you;
• can help you decide what you would like to do to improve your health, wellbeing and independence;
• can find activities that will suit you;
• can give you support along the way.

We know that being active, engaging with others, learning something new and getting involved in the world around you could improve your mental health and wellbeing.

If you would like advice about assistance available to older people who aren’t patients at the surgery, please call Age UK Oxfordshire: 01865 411 288. Leave your name and phone number and you will be called back as soon as possible. .

Our Social Prescribers:

Rachel Downey – 07827 235 420

Abbie Crook – 07827 235 431

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Want to ask for support? See how the team can help you by submitting a form below:

Once submitted, one of our Social Prescribers will contact you and find out more about what you would like help or support with. They will arrange an appointment at a time and place convenient to you.

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FISH

Support and Transport for the community

The FISH Volunteer Centre is a charity, run exclusively by volunteers, providing a range of support services and community transport for the senior residents and those in need within the area covered by the Sonning Common Health Centre, which serves Sonning Common and all the surrounding villages.

Our network of volunteer drivers provides personal transport for all people in the community for such things as doctor, hospital and dental appointments.

FISH organise shopping trips every week using their bespoke minibus, and there are also leisure trips organised several times a month to places of interest. They also provide home visits for those who are unable to get out and about.

Binfield Heath and Shiplake residents

Patients from Binfield Heath and Shiplake may book transport to the surgery via FISH, a voluntary agency. Ring (0118) 972 3986 allowing an absolute minimum of 48 hours notice.  A car will always be available to help you, if booked in advance.

For more information please click here to visit their website

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Safe Places Scheme

Aim: to help vulnerable people feel confident and safe when out and about by offering Designated safe places around South Oxfordshire

These safe places offer support from trained individuals and can be identified from this Nationally recognised logo

For more information please look at their poster or  click here to watch this video

Bereavement support

The National Bereavement Partnership has a helpline for individuals who need to speak to someone when a family member or friend is ill or has sadly died. The website for the charity is www.nationalbereavementpartnership.org

Late Spring is an Oxfordshire service, organised by Age UK, for people who have been bereaved or who know someone who has been bereaved. There is a bereavement support telephone line 01235 426600– Late Spring bereavement support telephone line and they also organise online support meetings.

Widow Tree 

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Dementia information booklet

This booklet provides information for patients with dementia and their carers. Please click this link: Dementia Information Booklet DS4-1 June21

Tips for looking after your mental and physical health and loneliness help information 

Please click here: Mental and physical health and Loneliness Help Information August 2023

Mental health resources

Please click here for mental health resources information:

Resources for Neurodiverse Patients

Mental health resources for children

Mental Health Resources for adults

There is also information available at http://www.mind.org.uk  Phone: 01865 247788  Email: info@oxfordshire-mind.org.uk