The Wellbeing Matters programme is a Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise led initiative, delivered by Salford CVS in partnership with Salford Third Sector Consortium, that focusses on Person and Community centred approaches to improving the wellbeing of Salford people.
A key element of Wellbeing Matters is the community connecting / social prescribing programme that connects people, referred by health professionals with a non-medical need, to local community assets to support their wellbeing, independence and to reduce social isolation. The programme aims to support people to feel more connected to their community, more confident and less socially isolated by linking them into local groups and services. The goal is for people to be better equipped to manage their own health and wellbeing with less reliance on clinical health and care services.
START as an Anchor within Wellbeing Matters hosts a number of Community Connectors within the Walkden & Little Hulton neighbourhood, as well as specialist Connector roles within Mental Health and the City College.
Community Connectors work with people on a 1:2:1 basis over a number of sessions to establish ‘what matters to them’ and to then connect them into relevant local, non-medical wellbeing and social support within their neighbourhood to improve their wellbeing and decrease social isolation.
This can range from accessing a community group (dancing, singing, gardening, cooking); through to sports / physical activity group; food bank / food club; friendship group / befriending; taking part in volunteering; mental wellbeing support; CAB / welfare support and much more.
The Wellbeing Matters programme also supports the development of the VCSE ecosystem that underpins social prescribing through volunteering, voluntary action, community activities and investment.
