Community and Care Co-ordinator

Helen Tazewell is a non-clinical member of staff, based at Pontesbury & Worthen Medical Practice on a part time basis. Her role is to assist patients across all age groups in need of help, support and advice by signposting to other useful services / activities.

Helen works with the NHS, the Council and voluntary & community groups and local expertise, on what’s happening in your community to help you stay socially active & maintain your independence and wellbeing.

How can a Community & Care Coordinator help?

Helen can help you to find your way around the system which can often seem complicated and confusing. Here are some of the things she can help with:

• Help arrange support for you or for someone you care about.
• Information about local activities, interest groups or day centres.
• Signpost you to transport for appointments and other activities.
• Access to bereavement support.
• Access to organisations that can help with aids and adaptations to your home.
• Help you to find a volunteer befriender or another organisation to help combat loneliness.
• Information on self-help resources and where to access support for mental wellbeing.
• Helen is usually available at the surgery 16.75 hours a week

For more information please contact the surgery reception on 01743 790325,

If Helen is not at work, please leave a message with reception and she will contact you on her return or alternatively for non-urgent messages email her on h.tazewell@nhs.net.

Social Prescriber

Social Prescribing is a non-medical programme designed to help people with a wide range of social, emotional or practical needs. This may include those who may be;

• Caring for someone who cannot manage without this help
• Living with a long-term health condition
• Wanting to change their lifestyle e.g. giving up smoking or losing weight
• Feeling worried or anxious
• Feeling lonely or socially isolated

Social Prescribing uses a person centred, preventative approach by intervening early, before problems start to escalate. In Shropshire, people referred have the space to talk one to one with a trained Social Prescribing Advisor and come up with a plan of action together, to help resolve health and wellbeing concerns and help put the person back in charge of their life.

Connecting people back to a service or activity in their community is key to social prescribing, and this comes through referring people to local voluntary and community based groups or activities.

Please ask at Reception about an appointment if you feel you might benefit from speaking to someone.

Please click on the links for further information:

• https://shropshire.gov.uk/healthy-shropshire/social-prescribing-in-shropshire/
• 2022 – Social Prescribing Leaflet (PDF)

Social Prescribing for children and young people aged 11- 18 years

Children and young people’s Social Prescribing is a non-medical approach to improving your health and wellbeing. It can help you to have more control over your own health and find ways to improve how you feel in a way that suits you. The Healthy Lives Advisor for children and young people will work together with you to develop an action plan around what matters to you. Children and young people might be referred to the Health Lives Advisor for a range of issues including:

• Children and young people who may feel isolated and want support to meet other people
• Children and young people who may have a long-term chronic health condition which would be helped through community activities
• Children and young people who may need help to find support or advice with practical issues such as money or housing
• Children and young people who may want help and support with their wellbeing and education.

Social Prescribing is not designed to replace medical support but getting involved with local groups and activities can help you get better and feel better faster than medicine alone. Your Healthy Lives Advisor might introduce you to a community group or a new activity. They may help you to meet new people or, they might help you find information or access advice about a particular issue.

A referral can be made to the Healthy Lives Advisor by your GP.