‘I was nervous before. We come from society that makes it really difficult for guys to admit their Mental Health issues and through speaking to the GP and yourself I am able to understand how to speak to my family and friends.’
“It was really helpful to set out things to do and get on with.”
“I had spent 2 or 3 months going round in circles, but when we spoke it pointed me in the right direction.”
“I can’t understate it, kind of a breakthrough moment, broke the deadlock for me, having the start of a plan and goals to aim for.”
“[Before it was] easy to become tunnel vision with my condition and ignore other factors.”
Community Link Workers are now one of the core services available through GP practices in Scotland. Link Workers work in local GP practices or medical centres, meeting people that have been referred by GPs or other practice staff to provide one to one support. PCHP employs three Community Link Workers.
Link Worker referrals might be made for a wide range of reasons, such as financial issues, housing problems, anxiety and stress, isolation and loneliness, or bereavement. Over several sessions using a person centred approach, Link Workers can connect people with local support and services, community groups and activities which could help to improve their wellbeing.
A Link Worker’s support can enable people to set goals and overcome barriers so that they can take greater control of their health and wellbeing. By listening, and using ‘good conversations’ the Link Workers support people to identify the challenges or issues they are experiencing and to talk about what really matters to them. They support people to achieve their goals by helping them to identify and access relevant resources or services in their community.
The Link Workers have an extensive knowledge of what is going on in the community.They understand the local area and keep their GP practice teams informed of existing and new services and identify any gaps. They also work to address health inequalities created by deprivation, protected characteristics, geography and demographics.
PCHP employs Community Link Workers in partnership with the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) and Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC). Our Link Workers are based across five local practices accepting referrals from GPs and clinic staff for registered patients over 16.
Only GPs or other GP or medical centre staff can makes referrals to the Community Link Worker service.
More about our Community Wellbeing Programme can be found here.
