Social Prescribing Support

Social prescribing

Your Social Prescription – Getting Started

Social Prescribing is a way of linking people with social, emotional and practical needs to a range of local non-medical support services. They can support adults in a variety of areas including:

  • Physical and mental wellbeing
  • Community centres
  • Financial support
  • Advice and information
  • Leisure services
  • Housing options advice and adaptations
  • Council services
  • Befriending schemes
  • Family support

They can be contacted on 01784 448631 or email socialprescribing@spelthorne.gov.uk

Many of the services on offer are also self-referral and you can contact them directly for support. Please see details below:

Support with Personal Care

For support with washing , dressing, taking medication and keeping safe.

Good neighbour

These schemes can offer light housework, minor household repairs, accompanying on medical appointments, shopping, collecting prescriptions, dog walking, letter writing/form filling, light gardening and help with essential transport. The organisations are run by volunteers. They do not charge for their services but donations are appreciated. Transport to be booked in advanced.

  • Ashford Helping Hands – 07754 083 502 (M-F 10:00-14:00)
  • Care in Shepperton – 01932 254604 (M-F 09:30-12:00)
  • Sunbury Good Neighbour – 07956822546 (09:30-11:30)
  • Stanwell Good Neighbour – 07553221796 (M-F 10:00-12:00)
  • Laleham Good neighbours – 07434 433844 (10:00-14:00)
  • Good Neighbour Schemes Surrey – 01483 566072 (M-F 09:00-17:00)

General support

Volunteer drivers

Help to get the elderly to medical appointments eg doctor, dentist, chiropody, optician or visiting relatives in hospital or care homes. Drivers give their time freely but a charge is made to cover their expenses. Transport to be booked in advance.

Food support

Energy support

Winter Fuel Payments: This is a payment made to people who have reached Pension Credit age – 0800 731 0160.

Cold Weather Payments:  If you are on certain benefits, you may be eligible for these if the weather in your area falls to 0° centigrade or below for seven days in a row – automatic payment.

Warm Home Discount: If your electricity supplier belongs to this scheme and you’re getting the guaranteed part of Pension Credit, you will automatically get an annual discount of £140 off your electricity bill. You may also be eligible if you are on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme.

Grants for Energy Efficiency: If you are on a low income and claim one of a range of income and disability related benefits, you may be able to get a grant to help with the costs of improving the energy efficiency of your home. For example by updating heating systems or insulation.

Water support

Affinity Water – The Water Direct Scheme can also help customers with their bills. This is for Affinity Water households that get Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance. The applicant also needs to be behind on their current payments – 0800 697 982.

Date published: 22nd December, 2023
Date last updated: 21st January, 2024