The North East’s biggest social prescribing team out and about in Newcastle on Social Prescribing Day!
We have the largest social prescribing team in the Northeast, and to celebrate Social Prescribing Day on Wednesday 19 March we visited 17 different voluntary sector, community and charity organisations across the city, to hear more about the work that these vital organisations do to help our communities, and to explain more about social prescribing.
Social prescribing enables GPs, nurses, and other primary care professionals to refer people to a range of local, non-clinical services to support their health and wellbeing. Our team of social prescribers offer social and practical support to patients within their GP surgery or out in the community. The team support people who are affected by a wide range of issues such as isolation, loneliness, work stress, money worries, housing problems or managing long-term conditions. They can introduce people to community groups, a new activity or a local club, can help them find legal advice, debt counselling or information and guidance on a wide range of issues.
There are 29 members of staff in the NGPS social prescribing team, with a broad range of skills, qualifications and experience. They include counsellors, a drug and alcohol recovery link worker, a 65+ link worker, refugee and asylum seeker social prescribers and a healthy lifestyle link worker, and they are as diverse as they are skilled, with multiple languages spoken across the team.
Organisations that want to know more about working with or referring to the NGPS social prescribing team and would like a visit from one of the social prescribers in March/April this year should contact us. If you are a patient in Newcastle and would like a referral to a social prescriber, speak to a member of staff at your GP practice.
The VCSE organisations that the team visited on 19 March are:
Chilli Studios – A creative mental health charity offering arts-based activities to support individuals facing mental health challenges and social exclusion. Their work fosters self-expression, confidence, and community connections.
Equal Arts – A creative ageing charity supporting older people, including those living with dementia, through arts and cultural activities across Newcastle and Gateshead. Their projects, such as HenPower and Create and Connect, encourage creativity to improve wellbeing, often in care homes and community spaces.
HatTrick – A community-driven initiative using sport—especially football—to engage young people, build confidence, and develop skills. Since 2005, it has supported thousands of children and young people in Newcastle’s West End.
James’ Place – A specialist charity providing free, life-saving therapy to suicidal men. Operating in Liverpool, London, and Newcastle, their trained professionals offer quick access to evidence-based treatment in a non-clinical, welcoming environment. They have treated over 3,100 suicidal men since 2018.
Newcastle Cathedral – Beyond being a place of worship, Newcastle Cathedral plays a vital role in supporting vulnerable individuals through the Lantern Project. This initiative offers practical support to people facing homelessness, asylum-seekers, prison leavers, and those struggling with mental health, addiction, or social isolation.
ReCoCo: The Recovery College Collective – A peer-led mental health charity offering groups, courses, and support for people facing mental health challenges, addiction, and social difficulties. Their approach is rooted in lived experience, creating a safe space for recovery, learning, and community connections.
Scotswood Garden – A community garden that provides volunteering opportunities, environmental education, and wellbeing programs for all ages. It offers dementia-friendly gardening, youth nature programs, and social groups to promote connection with nature.
Search Newcastle – One of the oldest voluntary projects in the West of Newcastle, Search Newcastle was founded in the 1970s to support the welfare of older people. Their mission is to promote and protect older individuals’ health, wealth, and wellbeing, helping them stay independent, engaged, and active in their communities.
Shelter North East – A housing and homelessness charity defending the right to a safe home. They provide advice, legal assistance, and support for people facing eviction, homelessness, or housing difficulties in Newcastle and beyond.
Smart Works – A charity helping unemployed women gain the confidence, skills, and professional clothing they need to secure jobs. Their coaching and support services aim to break down barriers to employment and empower women to succeed in the workforce.
St. Martin’s Centre – A community centre focused on reducing loneliness and improving wellbeing through social activities, befriending services, and family support. It offers services for all ages, from children’s playgroups to older adults’ friendship groups.
St. Oswald’s Hospice – A specialist hospice providing compassionate care for people with life-limiting conditions. Services include medical support, palliative care, and bereavement services for individuals and their families, ensuring dignity and comfort.
St. Vincent’s Newcastle – A community centre run by the St Vincent de Paul Society, offering free wellbeing activities, a weekly low-cost market, and a Vinnies’ lunch drop-in, providing warm meals to those in need. The centre also supports families, refugees, and asylum seekers with accommodation and essential services.
SVP Newcastle Deaf Centre – The centre is a hub for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, offering advocacy, peer support, education, and mentoring. It fosters inclusivity and empowers individuals through advice, family support, and community-building activities.
West End Refugee Service – A support organisation for asylum seekers and refugees, offering a safe space to access help with asylum claims, mental health support, and essential services. WERS empowers individuals by equipping them with the skills and confidence to rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities. Their Weekly Welcome at Westgate Baptist Church (Wednesdays, 11:00 am–1:30 pm) allows them to see their work in action and meet the team.
West End Women & Girls Group – A community-based women’s and girls’ centre in Newcastle, dedicated to driving positive change. Through group work, the centre provides a safe and supportive space for women and girls to meet, build confidence, learn skills, and address issues relevant to their lives.
Converge Project – Converge Northumbria provides free university-based courses for adults (18+) with lived experience of mental health challenges. Based at Northumbria University, participants learn alongside students, academics, and professionals in a supportive environment. Courses run from September to June, covering Drama, Dance, Fashion, Fine Art, and Creative Writing, fostering creativity, confidence, and community.
They will also be welcoming a visit from Newcastle Carers to the NGPS office to hear more about their work providing a trusted source of advice, information, and support for carers across the city.