It is an exciting time to become part of the Social Prescribing movement in North West Surrey.  Working in partnership with the Primary Care Networks and North West Surrey Integrated Care Partnership, Woking Borough Council is seeking two Social Prescribing Link Workers to support residents who access Primary Care (GP) services via two Primary Care Networks in Woking. One role will be supporting patients registered with Chobham & West End Medical Practice, St John's Family Practice, Pirbright Surgery and The Practice College Road and the second role will be supporting patients registered with Hillview Medical Centre, Sunny Meed Surgery, Southview Medical Practice and Maybury Surgery.  In addition to these surgeries, Woking has two other Primary Care Networks covering the other GP practices within Woking and so flexibility across the duration of the project will be required.

As a Social Prescribing Link worker, through referrals by GP’s and other healthcare professionals, you will work with residents to identify their needs and requirements and link them to community groups and services that can help them to become more independent, physically active and increase their skill base.  Helping residents to obtain advice or to become more socially connected and to signpost to relevant services that will help them to generally lead a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle.

Through social prescribing, you will empower people to take control of their health and wellbeing by focussing on what matters to them and take a holistic approach, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.   Referrals may be made for any one of a number of reasons, including inactive lifestyles, loneliness and isolation, anxiety, financial concerns, poor nutrition and those struggling with daily routine.

To be successful in this role you will need to have experience of working in a support or advice role and working face to face with customers or service users.  You will have experience of working in either a local government, health or voluntary sector organisation. Knowledge of the communities to be served by the post applied for, as well as services available locally is desirable but not essential.

As a Social Prescribing Link Worker, you will need to be calm, reassuring, personable and empathetic when working supporting residents, as well as being honest, reliable and flexible in providing the support and direction required.  You will also be able to tailor your approach in order to communicate information effectively.

You will be organised, able to work independently and manage your time well to ensure you are able to meet changing workloads. You will need to be confident in the use of ICT and in completing notes and spreadsheets accurately.

A full driving licence and access to a car is essential for this role.

Please Note:  As the recruitment process will be including representatives from Primary Care, in applying for the position you are as a result giving consent to your information being shared with such representatives.

For more information or an informal discussion please contact Gary Cordery on 01483 743424 or email gary.cordery@woking.gov.uk

Interview Date:                 Week Commencing 22^nd August 2022 - TBC