‘Social Prescribing’ was unknown to me – but it helped me so much

When my GP asked if I’d try a referral to ‘Social Prescribing’, I must admit to not having ever heard of the service before

I was at that time just taking tentative steps along the road to healing from living with decades of depression and being recently diagnosed with PTSD.

I knew I had to push forward in order to finally enjoy living.

I agreed that morning to give this relatively new service a go. On leaving my GP, I had the familiar old thoughts and feelings surface – the anxiety, the panic …

I was going to have to talk to a new person, possibly even interact with more than one person at a time. Was I even going to show up to my first meeting?

As someone who really struggles in the company of other human beings and is always exhausted by putting on a really positive ‘front’ when social interaction couldn’t be avoided, well, this was going to be totally outside my comfort zone.

Somewhere within, I found the courage to take a phone call from my ‘Social Prescriber’ – a huge step in itself, as I had even stopped answering my phone.

Relief

To my relief, I heard warmth in the voice on the other end of the call, and I relaxed slightly.

With relative ease we talked about my interests, my needs, possible short-term goals and after what I can only describe as a painless process, I found myself signed up to join a gardening group at The ARC in Irvinestown.

Extreme apprehension and anxiety almost crippled me as I drove to that first gardening session.

Having avoided social gatherings and events as much as possible for decades, I had to fight with my instinct to turn the car around and go home.

What was I doing? Did I want to work through my phobias and issues, or resign myself to a life of solitude and depression?

Thankfully, the desire to change won over the fear factor, and I arrived at the ARC to be met by a very welcoming, gentle and friendly staff.

The whole experience was so positive – the Social Prescribing was taking into account my love of the outdoors, and of gardening.

This gave me an enjoyable distraction whilst I began my interaction with other clients of the service.

It was a perfect way to begin the work I needed to do in order to overcome my phobias and anxieties.

The success did not happen on Day One; indeed, I still had to talk myself into going back each week, but the progress each week boosted my confidence, and my aim was to keep going – and I did!

A friend for life

I even made a friend for life through joining that first group, and we both volunteered the following season to help out with the gardening group newbies!

During the Lockdown last Spring, I received weekly calls from my Social Prescriber, which helped connect with the outside world, to reground myself and ready myself for the next week, and so on.

These weekly calls certainly made the Lockdown weeks pass by much more quickly.

At no time did I feel rushed on the phone; it was a very genuine, positive, much-needed and much-appreciated service.

Having put a solid foundation down, I then tried joining some more groups running from the ARC.

This included ‘Pain Management and Mindfulness’, actually ran during Covid-19 last year.

However, the staff at the ARC followed the Government guidelines in regards to spacing, sanitising etc, and provided a very safe environment to learn how to be present within myself, without letting the daily pressures and challenges overwhelm our thoughts and feelings.

Extremely helpful

I found this programme to be extremely helpful; as someone who suffers chronic pain, I learned so much about the tension we carry in our bodies.

‘Chair Pilates’ was also part of the programme, which has also helped with keeping my joints mobile.

I still receive weekly motivational advice, quotes and recipes from the leader of that group, which are great to read.

Sadly, the weekly ‘Walking’ group has had to stop for now, due to Covid-19 restrictions, but this group has also helped me to form a couple of friendships that have enriched my life, and proved to me that my referral from my GP to the Social Prescribing service was indeed a lifechanging experience.

At no time did I feel pressured by the service to take part in something; my interests were taken into consideration to help find groups that would have a positive effect for me.

My advice to anyone who has been offered access to this service is simple: do it, take the plunge!

You will definitely improve your quality of life. I know I have, and will continue to do so.

The Arc Healthy Living Centre: Tel: 028 6862 8741; email: info@archlc.com

SPRING Social Prescribing helps people aged 18+ address their health and wellbeing by connecting them to sources of support within the community.
SPRING Social Prescribing is funded with £3.2 million by the National Lottery Fund.
The Department of Agriculture, Economic and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has also invested £500,000.
The Housing Executive are running a pilot scheme in Derry and Strabane District Council area.
The Spring Social Prescribing Project is a partnership between Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum, the Healthy Living Centre Alliance, and Scottish Communities for Health and Wellbeing. 
The project has a network of 24 community health partners delivering Social Prescribing services across Northern Ireland and Scotland.
There are 21 Social Prescribers working in socially-deprived areas throughout Northern Ireland.