Meet a Social Prescriber!

Jade Topham is a Social Prescriber in Southampton.

Hi Jade, thank you so much for talking to us. I wonder if you might be able to tell us a little about yourself?

Hi! I'm Jade, one of the social prescribers who work across several of the GP surgeries across the city. I mainly cover the University-based practices due to my previous experience studying, living, working in and around the University of Southampton and specialist interest in wellbeing and mental health. I graduated with my degree in Psychology from the University of Southampton and I have been in my role since Jan 2020. When I'm not at work, you can find me doing archery, climbing or crocheting.  

This may well be an impossible question, but what does an average day look like for you as a social prescriber?

Good question! Each day is different - the role changes a lot as the service demand evolves, so we are always up to a wide variety of bits. We are mainly clinic based, meaning I will spend my time bouncing between surgeries and seeing patients. This can be face to face, telephone or at home depending on what works best for the individual. I also attend social prescribing events, talks and conferences as well as practice meetings where I educate and advise GP staff on social prescribing and signposting. On top of this, I also assist with the COVID vaccination clinics. 

North West Social Prescribing Network: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57d2317e579fb3d5c112ad5a/1525096477604-KAS4JQJ1C45BUI5ZXCO9/Social+Prescribing+Options+Flow+Chart.png

What has been the most significant accomplishment in your role?

When I started, the social prescribing service did not exist. I am very humbled to have played a role in creating and developing the service we have today, especially as we launched the service just days before the first national lockdown was announced, meaning we had to completely reshuffle the service provision to suit the changing needs of both practices and patients. 

What advice might you give to people who want to find out more about social prescribing?

Don't feel you have to have a plan if you do want to come to us - We can help you figure that out! NHS England refer to some great sources of information if you are looking to find out more, but you can also speak directly to your local GP surgery about the services they offer, as well as looking for any Volunteering, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) social prescribing schemes within the community. 

What would you like to see happen in the world of social prescribing moving forwards?

Just within our city we are seeing our GP teams grow with additional roles ranging from Physiotherapists to Health and Wellbeing Coaches. Social prescribing is a way of linking these services together and improving both the health and wellbeing of the patients as they move through each pathway. I would like to see the knowledge of these additional pathways increase, and for these teams to continue to grow and develop to create a service that empowers patients to choose the best pathway for them.

If someone was considering becoming a social prescriber or a link worker, what would you say to them?

Do it! The role is so dynamic and each day is different. The delight in seeing someone's situation change with a little support and guidance is unrivalled. You'll develop excellent communication and problem-solving skills while working in a new and advancing field of health and wellbeing.