Our Volunteer Social Prescribers play an absolutely integral role in the success of our Social Prescribing provision in Brighton & Hove. Here is a recent story from the service which really highlights the importance of their role with SIS and the difference they make in the lives of our Service Users.
We received a message in mid -January from Service User L. She suffers from multiple long term health conditions, had been really struggling in unsuitable accommodation for a long time and was desperate to secure a move. She had recently received an invite from the Welfare team at Brighton & Hove City Council to a Housing Options group workshop whereby people could discuss their accommodation needs and find out more on the support the team could offer in providing secure accommodation for them.
As L has interpreting needs, our Volunteer Social Prescriber, R, contacted the Welfare Team to enquire whether they could provide a 1-1 appointment with an interpreter as this would suit L much more. The team arranged this accordingly and the appointment led to L being offered new accommodation within the space of 6 weeks!
L then came back to us to ask for support with applying for help with removal costs from the council as she could not afford this. The time frame for this was extremely tight as there was little over a week until the moving date.
R spoke to the relevant department at the council and then managed to call round removals companies, secure the necessary three separate quotes and then submit these, along with the required proof of L’ s financial situation – last 30 days’ bank statement, a copy of the new tenancy agreement and a completed application form. The council confirmed that they would help with the removal costs and R booked with the appropriate removals company.
In addition to this, R liaised with the council to confirm other details such as the transfer of L’s Council Tax account to the new address and picking up the keys for the new property. She also helped L to access some vouchers to buy some paints for her to decorate the new property and managed to find an online Carpet company offering substantial discounts as the new accommodation was uncarpeted.
L said: “I want to thank SIS and particularly R for helping me and following up on my work. I am very grateful to you and R.”
R said “Yes L is very pleased and so am I. She’s been so lucky that everything came together like this for her. I’m so glad I’ve been a small part of it. L is moving to her new place (she calls it her “new life”) on Monday.”
Note: We collaborate with Social Prescribers to write these stories but remove the names of the Social Prescribers, the language used and other details to ensure confidentiality for Service Users.
