Social Prescribing Day 2023 in Bassetlaw

Could you volunteer?

Social prescribing helps hundreds of people across Bassetlaw every year, but without the help of volunteers much of this invaluable work would simply not be possible.

Social prescribers – or link workers are they are often called – give people time to focus on themselves and consider ‘what really matters’ to them.

Thursday 9^th March is the national day for social prescribing, and as such is a great time for people who might be able to help at one of the many groups and organisations across the district that provide this support to get involved.

An example of how social prescribing can positively impact on a person’s life is a recent referral that came in to Bassetlaw Community and Voluntary Service’s (BCVS) Social Prescribing team. The patient had been struggling with their finances and mental health for quite some time but did not know where to turn. A friend of theirs, who had also recently been supported by the social prescribing team, told them about the service and encouraged them to seek the support available.

Once connected with a social prescriber, the patient was referred to Bassetlaw Citizen’s Advice for financial advice and given help to complete a household budget plan which will help them manage their income in the future.

They were also supported with a food parcel from Bassetlaw Food Bank, and the patient has started volunteering at Oasis Community Centre community garden, which is benefiting their mental health.

The patient is very grateful for all the support and said: “I can’t thank you enough for all you have done to help me.”

If it was not for the volunteers who help to keep places like Bassetlaw Citizen’s Advice, Oasis Community Centre, Bassetlaw Food Bank and hundreds of other local charities going, then this level of personalised support would not be possible.

Health benefits

Bassetlaw Place Clinical Director Dr Eric Kelly said: “People might visit their GP because they are stressed about work or money, or because they feel lonely and isolated, however these problems can’t be fixed by medicine alone.

“Social prescribing aims to support people with a range of social, emotional or practical needs while improving their mental health and physical wellbeing. It’s about connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.

“Volunteering with these invaluable organisations also brings many benefits, such as social interaction, a sense of purpose and the satisfaction you feel in helping someone in real need.”

Social prescribers maintain an up-to-date awareness of the wide range of local community and local groups that are here to support the Bassetlaw community and individual people in need.

Becky Law, Head of Service, BCVS added “Social Prescribing in Bassetlaw is part of an extremely well connected and supportive voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, all working together to provide non-medical support to local people.

“Our Social Prescribing Link Worker team take the time with patients to discuss the key issues that are impacting their wellbeing and then connect them with the support, advice and interaction offered by groups and organisations in Bassetlaw, Nottinghamshire and on a wider footprint.

How to get involved

“We also cross refer to the young people’s link worker employed by Centre Place whenever appropriate as part of the VCSE centred model of social prescribing in Bassetlaw. This might be help accessing benefits, debt and welfare advice or to address loneliness and isolation issues through participation with local activity groups. 

“The groups and organisations the social prescribers are referring into need our support to continue to be able to provide the services that are so invaluable to improving the wellbeing of those in need. If you can lend your support and commit some time to volunteering that would make a real difference in our communities.”

In addition, social prescribers can provide information on a wide range of services for the whole family. In order to ensure we have the level of social prescribers that we need in Bassetlaw we need more volunteers.

If you would like to volunteer in Bassetlaw, please visit www.bcvs.org.uk/iwanttovolunteer for the opportunities currently available. If you can’t find something suitable please email involve@bcvs.org.uk or call 01909 476 118 and BCVS will be able to help you find the perfect role for you.

If you feel you might benefit from seeking the support of a social prescriber please ask your local GP practice or contact BCVS.

Project aims to ‘Grow it, Fix it’

A new community project is underway in Bassetlaw to produce fresh food, improve mental health and deliver education opportunities for local people.

The ‘Grow it, Fix it’ project based at the Bassetlaw Food Bank’s (BFB) base in Manton is helping to transform a patch of previously unused land into an allotment site that will welcome people from across the district, including the local community of Manton and its surrounding areas.

Work began on site at the beginning of February and just some of the facilities here will include 12 allotments, a communal poly-tunnel, an orchard with at least three types of fruit, a bee yard and a workshop where pre-loved items can be repaired and recycled.

The project has been made possible thanks to £47,500 from Bassetlaw’s allocation of the Government’s Levelling Up Parks Fund.

BFB Manager, Robert Garland, said: “This project will give us many more opportunities to get involved in the Bassetlaw community and boost what we can offer as a charity.

“The demand for our support is high and not only will this project allow us to grow our own produce that can be included in the emergency parcels we distribute across the district, but it also gives us an amazing opportunity to develop the educational side of the charity and show people where food comes from.

“There are many more benefits to the project and as part of the Workshop that will be here, we will be working with Armed Forces Veterans, people who are retired and those looking to share their skills to recycle and reuse everyday essential items.

“The project has enormous benefits to improve people’s health, mental well-being and skills and we would like to thank Bassetlaw District Council’s Parks Team for their support with funding and the development of the site.”

The project is expected to be up and running by the end of March and Cllr Julie Leigh, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods at Bassetlaw District Council, added: “We’re really pleased to support BFB with money from the Levelling Up Fund to help to develop this really important project that will help people across the whole of Bassetlaw.

“Ventures like this can have a huge impact on communities and be a catalyst for change, not only in terms of well-being and opportunities. By transforming a previously unused part of this site, we are helping to improve our local environment and provide a place for nature to thrive.

“Levelling Up is about improving opportunities for people in local communities and this project is a great example of how Bassetlaw District Council is using funding to help change people’s lives for the better, and improve our environment, though education and skills.”

If you would like to be part of this project, please contact BFB by calling 01909 473078 or emailing admin@bassetlawfoodbank.org

Pictured, from left to right are: Cllr John Shephard, Cllr Julie Leigh – Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Robert Garland – BFB Manager, Cllr Josie Potts, Peter Clark – Head of Neighbourhoods, Tim Downes – Parks and Open Spaces Manager.

Bassetlaw Place joins National Suicide Prevention Alliance

Bassetlaw Place Based Partnership has been invited to join the National Suicide Prevention Alliance and attended its annual conference in January.

The Alliance is made up of more than 1,000 public, private, voluntary and community organisations in England, who care about suicide prevention, and who are willing to take action to reduce suicide and help those affected by it.

Helen Azar, Programme Manager for Mental Health and Health Inequalities at Bassetlaw Place, attended the Conference in London.

She said: “It was wonderful to hear the Government announce there will be developing new Suicide Prevention Strategy by this summer.

“We were told that £57-million will be invested in local suicide plans and bereavement services which is very exciting.

“Bassetlaw Place was one of about 300 organisations at the conference who able to share the latest knowledge and information, as well as discussing opportunities for collaboration.”

Keynote speakers included Professor Sire Louis Appleby, Chair of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory group and a Director of DHSC, and Fiona Walshe Director of Mental Health, Department of Health and Social Care.

“The conference included interactive workshops which looked at what future suicide prevention needs look like for people in diverse communities and contexts, including LGBTQ+ communities, people with neurodevelopmental conditions and people who experience domestic abuse,” said Helen.

“We’re looking forward to implementing some of what was shared here in Bassetlaw as we move towards creating our own local Suicide Prevention Plan.”

Bassetlaw Lung Health Check programmes finds 15 people with cancer so far

Fifteen people will receive potentially life-prolonging and life-saving treatment after being diagnosed with lung cancer as part of the Bassetlaw Targeted Lung Health Check programme.

The scheme, which has been operational since August and recently moved to Retford, has seen already seen more than 5,200 scans performed.

Michael Stubbins, from Sutton-cum-Lound, urged others to take up the offer of an appointment if they’re offered one by their GP.

“I smoked from the age of 20 when I started going out to the pubs – it’s what everyone did,” he said. “I didn’t have an interest in cigarettes until then. I don’t suppose we were aware of the dangers of smoking, so it just seemed natural.

“In 2001, I immediately stopped smoking when I was 53 and the price of a packet went up to £5 after the Budget.”

Michael, 74, said he received a letter in the post inviting him to take part in the Targeted Lung Health Check programme.

“The letter invited me for a lung health check with the time and date of an initial telephone appointment,” he said. “This telephone call was just to make sure I was right and suitable for the programme. It was all very easy.

“On the day of the lung health check appointment which followed, I was called and asked a number of questions about my health, work, and life history. This information was used to assess my risk of developing health problems.”

“The telephone assessment identified I qualified for a chest scan and I was offered an appointment to attend for a CT scan.”

Michael said the lung health check was ‘quick, free, and almost on my doorstep’.

“The scan itself was very quick and totally painless,” he said. “It was great because I didn’t have to travel far and I could park for free.”

“I parked in Morrisons and popped for my CT scan during my weekly shop. I was literally in and out and done.”

“It was very simple and straightforward and these checks can find things long before you might start to feel poorly so, do what I did – keep your appointment and go from there.”

Dr Jason Page, Clinical Director for the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Targeted Lung Health Check Programme, urged people not to be afraid of going for a scan if they are invited to do so.

“Cancer is a very sensitive and personal issue, and we know many people find it a difficult subject to talk about,” he said.

“This programme is designed to help detect lung cancer early as well as other health conditions such as lung problems.

“If you receive an invite letter, please don’t ignore it – read the local information booklet and take up the opportunity for a lung health check.

“We have found cancer in 16 people so far – 15 of which are lung cancers – who had no idea they had cancer. Thanks to the scheme, they have every opportunity to access the treatment they need much earlier than they might have done, and be given potentially life-saving or life-prolonging treatment.”

NHS organisations in Bassetlaw, Alliance Medical, and Ashfield Engage (part of UDG Healthcare Plc) are providing the Lung Health Check service.

For more information about the scheme, visit https://canceralliancesyb.co.uk/what-we-do/early-diagnosis/lung-health-checks

The Lung Health Check scheme targets people aged 55-74 who are either smokers or former smokers. Those considered eligible will be contact by their GP practice.

Changes coming to Bassetlaw Hospital

Further building works are to commence at Bassetlaw Hospital in the coming weeks.

While service disruption will be kept to an absolute minimum, it will mean a new entrance will be created for urgent and emergency drop-offs as well as those arriving by ambulances.

In early 2020, funding was announced to support a proposed enhancement, expansion and development of urgent and emergency care facilities at Bassetlaw Hospital.

With works due to commence in the coming weeks, the final project will see the site’s Children Assessment Unit co-located with the Emergency Department, offering 24-hour urgent and emergency paediatric care, all housed within a new extension to the Worksop hospital.

In the coming days, visitor’s car parking located near the main entrance will be closed temporarily to allow for a temporary new entrance road and path to the Emergency Department to be created off Blyth Road, with appropriate drop-off and ambulance access for patients.

Signage will also be placed in the main entrance of the site to direct patients, visitors and staff to appropriate car parking facilities, as well as entrance ways. Additionally, the current outpatients car park and entrance will temporarily close.

As such, patients and visitors to this service will need to make use of the Clinical Therapies entrance which is just around the corner or alternatively the maternity entrance which will bring you in at ground level. This will be appropriately signed.

Finally, a new car park has being constructed at the north of the hospital site which is to compensate for the loss of visitors parking at the main entrance. New accessible parking has been created from existing parking bays outside of Clinical Therapies and the Maternity entrance.

The Emergency Department and current Children’s Assessment Unit at Bassetlaw Hospital will remain operational whilst construction gets underway, as will all other services, and patients are asked to attend as usual.

It is anticipated that the project will take around 12 months to complete.

Covid and flu vaccines in Bassetlaw

Be safe! Covid booster and flu campaigns are coming to an end.

Make sure, if you’re eligible, that you get your vaccines as soon as possible.

Those who are eligible can go to:

KILTON FOREST COMMUNITY CENTRE:

• Saturday 21st January: 9am-1pm

• Tuesday 24th January: 2pm-6pm

• Saturday 28th January: 9am-1pm.

OAKLEAF SURGERY: Harworth Medical Centre, Scrooby Rd, Harworth, Doncaster DN11 8JT:

• Friday 20th January: 2pm-6pm.

Please note flu vaccines are for registered patients only.

Bassetlaw Place team raise £300 for local food bank

The team at Bassetlaw Place Based Partnership has raised £300 for Bassetlaw Food Bank by fundraising rather than exchanging Christmas cards.

A JustGiving page was set up with the initial aim of raising £100, but they soon smashed their festive target.

The money will be used to help provide much needed supplies for the food bank which is helping hundreds of people across the district.

Bassetlaw Food Bank regularly provides a current ‘needs list’ so anyone who is able to contribute gives items that are in short supply. This list is available on the food bank Facebook page.

The Bassetlaw Food Insecurity Network is co-ordinated by BCVS and is aimed at tackling food insecurity in Bassetlaw. The food hubs are a BFIN initiative. There are various Food Hubs around the district with most open to the whole community. They enable local people to purchase a bag of food for £3.  

Find out more here – www.bcvs.org.uk/foodhubs

Bassetlaw Christmas and New Year pharmacy opening times

Pharmacy opening times for Christmas and New Year in Bassetlaw:

• Christmas Day: Jhoots, Riverside Health Centre, Retford: 12pm-2pm

• Boxing Day: Jhoots, Riverside Health Centre, Retford: 12pm-4pm

• Tuesday 27th December: Worksop Pharmacy, Prospect: 10am-4pm, , and Boots, Bridge Street, Worksop: 10am-4pm

• New Year’s Day: Boots Pharmacy, Retford Primary Care Centre: 10am-4pm and Worksop Pharmacy, Prospect: 10am-9pmMonday, 2nd January (bank holiday): Worksop Pharmacy, Prospect, 10am-4pm.

Community Mental Health Providers in Bassetlaw