One New Thing - Social Prescribing in South Tyneside

18th November '11

First Contact Clinical and charity Bliss=ability have been awarded a charitable donation from the Pfizer UK Foundation to deliver 'One New Thing' during 2012. The project aims to improve the mental and physical health of people in South Tyneside whose well-being is impacted on in a negative way by behaviors known to reduce the quality of life or result in significant numbers of years of life lost. The negative behaviours are due to or exacerbated by deprivation or long-term psychosocial issues such as isolation. The project proposes to do this by directing GP referrals or self-referrals to a ‘Navigator’ whose role is to motivate and support individuals to make contact with one or more of the 900 voluntary organisations and groups that exist locally. The project will impact not only directly on mental and physical health, but also indirectly through increased social contacts, improved access to services and ultimately improved social networks within communities. ‘One new thing’: The name is based on the premise that the interaction will result in the person becoming involved in an activity of some type which may for many be something new. The project asks that they try ‘one new thing’.