Social Prescribing Link Worker

**Working for Age UK Northamptonshire in partnership with GP surgeries in the Red Kite Primary Care Network (Kettering, Corby and surrounding area)** **Rate of pay**:from £17,702.10 per annum (full-time equivalent £29,110.12) **Hours of work**: from 22.5 to 30 hours per week, available over 4-5 days Based at Waterside House, Station Road, Irthlingborough NN9 5QF Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing through referral to non-medical link workers who give time and focus on "what matters to me". They take a holistic approach, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support. Link workers support existing groups to be accessible and sustainable, and work collaboratively with all local partners. **About the role** We are looking for someone with experience of working directly in adult physical/ mental health, community development, social care or public health to join our expanding Social Prescribing team. As a Social Prescribing Link Worker you will take referrals from GP Surgeries in the Red Kite Primary Care Network: Eskdaill, Linden, Mawsley, Studfalls, Weavers and Woodsend Medical Centres. You will make referrals to a wide range of agencies, providing non-medical support that enables clients to take control of their own wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes. By supporting people with long-term conditions (including mental health issues), and people who are lonely or isolated, social prescribing can help to strengthen community resilience and reduce health inequalities. Come and join Age UK Northamptonshire’s expanding team and help address the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housing and physical inactivity. You will develop trusting relationships by giving people time and enabling them to focus on what matters to them. By taking a holistic approach, based on your clients' priorities and the wider determinants of health, you can have a positive effect on the wellbeing of many people in our community. You will also forge strong links with GP practice and PCN staff, local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations as well as community and neighbourhood level groups, utilising their networks and building on what’s already available to create a map or menu of community groups, services and assets. **About you** We need someone with the ability to listen and empathise with people and provide person-centred support in a non-judgemental way. You must be able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity. You must have a competent level of IT skills as you will be required to document your interactions with clients on the GP clinical system. A commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities is essential. As you will be visiting people in their own homes you will need to have your own transport. This can be a highly rewarding job where no two days are the same. If you have suitable experience and the confidence to work with GPs, PCNs and wider Multi-Disciplinary teams, and to work with commissioners and local partners to identify unmet needs within the community and gaps in community provision, we'd love to hear from you. Applications from people with a Health or Social Care background are welcomed. Pay: £27,551.00 per year **Benefits**: - Employee discount - Health & wellbeing programme Schedule: - Monday to Friday Licence/Certification: - Driving Licence (required) Work Location: In person Application deadline: 16/10/2024