Social Prescribing

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Social Prescribing

Practical supports for your health and wellbeing

Social Rx^® (or Social Prescribing) is designed to help you access local support services and community resources that can make a real difference to your life.

Life is full of different things that can affect how we feel and how we’re doing. These include stuff like getting around, doing fun things, having a safe and comfy place to live, getting along with family, dealing with unexpected events, and handling stress.

PCCS Australias-leader-logo Our goal is to help with all these different parts of life. We believe that taking care of all these things can make you feel better and more connected to others in your community. It’s like putting together a puzzle where each piece is important. We’re here to help you figure out what you want to improve and make a plan to make it happen.

This is what we call “social prescribing.” It’s a way to help you with the non-medical stuff that affects your health and wellbeing. We want to help turn challenges into opportunities so you can live your best life. Let’s work together to set goals and make a plan that fits your needs.

Learn more here

How we help

Social Rx is designed to address gaps between health and social systems, providing practical supports and linking people to the community resources and supports they need, working together to get the best outcome possible.

Our team of social workers can assist with things like:

Social Programs & Services like art classes, book clubs, coffee clubs, knitting groups, and community centres
Physical Activity Programs like walking groups, chair yoga, lawn bowling, Healthy Weight for Life (including online groups people can do at home)
Support to Access Government Services like like My Aged Care, NSW Housing, Centrelink, and linkages for assistance with NDIS applications and for Chronic Care Coordination
Healthy Lifestyle/Food Programs like Meals on Wheels, food banks and cooking groups.

What are the benefits?

Increases social and community connections
Decreases feelings of loneliness
Improves mental health
Empowers people living with chronic conditions in managing their lives
Finds new or rediscovered interests, skills and talents
Addresses the Social Determinants of Health
Supports existing community services and resources
Increases skills and work readiness
Increases health education and literacy
Person-centred model including holistic needs assessment
Reduces burden on hospital and GP services
Increases sense of community belonging

Hear from our clients

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Social Rx?

Social Rx is a ‘social prescribing’ service that addresses the non-clinical unmet needs that get in the way of health and wellbeing. Some examples include:

What happens when I’m referred to Social Rx?

Social Rx helps you find and access resources that are already available in the community. The program involves comprehensive needs assessment, customised person-centred goal planning, linking people to locally based public and private supports and social participation groups, and follow ups. We also communicate with you around what happens and what we do. An example journey for a person is seen below:

Examples of common improvements include improved health, wellbeing, health-confidence, self-esteem, communication skills and quality of life. The service can also reduce loneliness, distress, health service utilisation, and risk of hospitalisation.

Partner with us!

Social Rx is an innovative program designed and delivered by PCCS throughout parts of NSW and the Gold Coast (QLD). If your organisation is interested in adding Social Rx to the service options available for your region, send us a message on our contact form or email us here to discuss and learn more.