How social prescribing is helping link people together in Cork 

For the past six years, people across Cork have been using social prescribing to reconnect with their communities, try new activities, and improve their wellbeing.

With Social Prescribing Day falling on Thursday, March 26, it’s a great time to celebrate the positive impact the service is having in Cork.

Social prescribing is based on a simple idea: people are happier and healthier when they feel connected to others and involved in their local community.

By linking people with local resources, hobbies, and community activities, social prescribing can help reduce isolation and boost overall wellbeing.

The service involves meeting with a Social Prescriber to talk about what matters to you and what changes you might like to make in your life.

Together, you can explore local hobbies, activities, and community supports, which might include social groups, arts activities, volunteering, exercise groups, returning to education, or peer support.

An example of social prescribing in action is John (not his real name) who got in touch with the Social Prescribing service shortly after moving back to his home town in County Cork.

He had spent most of his adult life working as a labourer in London, but in his mid-50s a health issue meant he had to retire earlier than expected.

With work gone and living alone, he decided to move back to the town he had grown up in. This made sense on paper, but in reality was tougher than he expected.

Most of the people he had known 30 years previously had long since moved away, the town felt familiar but strangely different. “I knew the streets, but I didn’t know anyone anymore,” he said later.

After a few months of feeling increasingly isolated, John heard about the Social Prescribing service through the local library and phoned to make an appointment.

At first, he wasn’t sure what he wanted from the service, but he was clear about one thing - big groups were not for him.

In the session with the Social Prescriber, many options were discussed, including the Men’s Shed, but John was not keen on the idea, “I’ve done enough work in London,” he said. Instead, he decided to try the local walking group that met once a week for a walk and a coffee afterwards. The group was informal and with a handful of regulars, it felt more manageable. He gave it a try and found he enjoyed it more than he expected.

The walk was relaxed with no pressure to talk, but over time he got chatting with a few others. One of the men there happened to be involved with the Men’s Shed and encouraged him to drop by and try it out. So John gave it a go.

He now goes to the walking group every week and calls to the Men’s Shed regularly. This routine has helped him structure his week and stay connected with others in the community.

“When I first moved back from London, I thought I was coming back to the friends I had years ago,” he said. “And it just didn’t work out like that. But now things feel more settled.”

John’s story is just one example out of hundreds, of how social prescribing is working across Cork city and county. The service is free to access, and many of the activities discussed are low-cost or free. People can be referred into the service by a health professional or can contact the services directly.

Funded by the HSE, the service is open to anyone aged 18 or over and is particularly suited to people ready to make a change, try something new, or become more connected within their community.

Social Prescribing services are currently available in the following areas:

• Northwest Cork (Mallow, Kanturk, Charleville and surrounding areas; CHN 04) Le Chéile FRC Mallow: Eithne Foley, linkworker@lecheilefrc.ie, 087 719 3257.
• East Central Cork (Midleton, Youghal and surrounding areas; CHN 06) Midleton FRC: Edel Irwin, socialprescribing@midletonfrc.com, 085 862 5320.
• North Cork City (Knocknaheeney, Gurranabraher, Mayfield and surrounding areas; CHN 08 & 09) Niche Knocknaheeny: post vacant at present, socialprescribing@nicheonline.ie, 086 014 7504.
• West Cork (Bantry, Skibbereen, Castletownbere and surrounding areas; CHN 10) Adrigole FRC (The Caha Centre): Susan O’Regan, linkworker@thecahacentrefrc.ie, 083 149 1543.
• West Cork (Dunmanway, Clonakilty, Rosscarbery and surrounding areas; CHN 10) Dunmanway FRC: Wendy Bond, wendy@dfrc.ie, 083 2040729.
• West Central Cork (Ballincollig, Bishopstown, Macroom and surrounding areas; CHN 12) Ballincollig FRC: Megan O’Brien, linkworker@ballincolligfrc.org, 085 879 3462.
• South Cork City (Togher, Ballyphehane, Turner’s Cross and surrounding areas; CHN 14) Ballyphehane/Togher Community Development Project: Sinead Murphy, sineadm@btcdp.ie, 087 1207410.

Social Prescribing continues to grow across Cork, helping people reconnect with their communities and improve their wellbeing.

To learn more, visit: https://www.allirelandsocialprescribing.ie/