The past fifteen months have been strange to say the least. We’ve had lockdown after lockdown and worry on top of worry. The effects of the pandemic have been felt worldwide and we’ve all found ourselves in the same storm. But while we’ve all been in the same storm, we’ve all also been in different boats. As we know all too well, we’ve all had our own unique set of problems to deal with, from financial difficulties to bereavement, from loneliness to depression. But what you might not know is that there is a free service in Leeds that can help with these issues.
Linking Leeds is a social prescribing service funded by the NHS and made up of an amazing team of friendly wellbeing coordinators. We are here to help. We offer an initial 1-1½ hour assessment with patients to find out what their needs are. We provide a safe space for people to talk about their problems and we then signpost patients on to other services and community groups who can help and support them with these issues. We want to empower patients to be able to make changes in their own lives to improve their social, emotional, physical and mental wellbeing. We encourage patients to self-refer to recommended services and groups where possible and we make a co-produced plan with them to help them break down the steps they need to take into manageable chunks.
For some patients, one appointment is enough, but others with more complex issues may need more. We can provide up to twelve 1-1½ hour sessions for patients dealing with more complex issues who need support in accessing a variety of groups and services to improve their overall wellbeing. We believe that everyone can live a fulfilled life, however, sometimes people need help to achieve this and that is where we come in.
We can signpost patients to services which can help with isolation, mental health issues, debt and money management, alcohol and drug misuse, eating disorders, housing, anti-social behaviour, LGBT+ issues, weight management, support for older people, smoking cessation, mediation, chronic pain, food poverty, sexual violence, family issues, benefits, advocacy, peer-to-peer support, fitness, domestic violence, bereavement, legal issues, cleaning and shopping, assessments for learning difficulties, employment support and learning new skills and hobbies. We can also signpost patients to services and resources to help with anxiety around Covid-19.
Laurel Bank Surgery
I cover Headingley, Woodsley and Holt Park, with a colleague Hollie Harkin. The service office is based in Chapeltown, however, normally we work from community hubs and GP surgeries in the areas we cover (in Headingley, Burton Croft Surgery, Holly Bank Surgery, Kirkstall Lane Medical Centre, Laurel Bank Surgery and Moor Grange Surgery: see Doctors). Hollie has a weekly clinic in Burley Park Medical Centre and Craven Road Medical Centre. But since the start of the pandemic, we’ve been working on the telephones, so we can keep people safe. We can work with anyone over the age of 16 who is in need of social, emotional, physical or mental support.
If you need support, you can book directly onto our service by calling 0113 336 7612 or by going to http://bit.ly/LinkingLeeds and filling in the form. We’ll be in touch within 5 working days to arrange your initial assessment and get your started on the path to a happier and more fulfilled life.
Jade McAndrew
Wellbeing Coordinator, Headingley
Linking Leeds Social Prescribing Service
The Reginald Centre, 263 Chapeltown Road, LS7 3EX
Tel: 0113 336 7612
linking.leeds@nhs.net
www.commlinks.co.uk/linking-leeds
