Connected Kingston is a social prescribing project, that aims to help patients in the borough of Kingston make some changes to improve their health and wellbeing, feel more involved in their community and meet new people.
The model has been co-designed from the outset by a collaboration of over 30 local organisations including Kingston Voluntary Action (KVA) and Kingston Council, local voluntary sector organisations and the NHS. Social prescribing is a process to help people make positive changes in their lives by linking people to activities, voluntary and community groups and public services that help them to:
We see this as a way for patients in Kingston to access the holistic support they need to lead healthy and happy lives.
Through the use of trained ‘Champions’ and an online referral tool, Connected Kingston hopes to link people to a wide variety of advice, activities and support including:
Volunteering opportunities
Social activities
Support and self help groups
Physical activities
Managing your money
Community transport
Connected Kingston is available now to use and will be launched publicly in the new year.
There are two ways for patients to access Connected Kingston:
1) Patients can use the online referral tool from anywhere with an internet connection.
2) Patients will be able to speak to trained Connected Kingston Champions who will be able to provide help and support to access information about activities and opportunities in the community that will have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.
Connected Kingston Champions will be located in venues like:
GP practices
Council offices
Housing offices
Leisure centres
Libraries
Pharmacies
The Champions will use the online referral tool to search and signpost patients to local groups, activities or networks.
If you are interested in becoming a Connected Kingston Champion, for upcoming training dates see here.
If you would like to keep up to date with how the project is progressing, receive information about adding your organisations or activity onto the system, contact info@connectedkingston.uk.