As we mark Social Prescribing Day, one health care professional explains how the service provides a vital link with Re-engage to help lonely older people.

“During lockdown, there weren’t many services available, but Re-engage’s telephone befriending service was a lifeline. More recently, it’s been fantastic to see social groups reopening, especially with transport support, which is rare in Swansea.” 

Lois Woodward, a social prescriber with Swansea Council for Voluntary Service's (SCVS), 'New Ways to Wellbeing' project, added that the Christmas call companion service had also been particularly valuable: “I referred an older lady whose children live abroad. She was facing Christmas alone, despite being in a small village. Having that call over the festive period made a huge difference to her.”

Social prescribing helps people improve their health and well-being by connecting them to support services that meet their specific needs. As Lois explains, the approach varies depending on the individual: “One of the first things we do when we have the initial call with somebody is establish what they view as their health and wellbeing needs and how they want to prioritise them. It could be accessing benefits, housing support, emotional wellbeing, or social connections. With older people, isolation is often a key issue.”

For many older people, loneliness stems from mobility issues, bereavement, or family moving away. In Swansea, the geographical divide between the city centre and more rural areas adds to the challenge, as older people struggle to access services due to lack of transport.

Lois highlighted several unique barriers that older people face, including:

• Limited transport options: Rural areas often lack accessible transport, making it difficult for people to attend social groups or appointments. Volunteer-led community transport initiatives exist, but recruitment is a constant challenge.
• Digital exclusion: Many older people either cannot or prefer not to access services online, yet an increasing number of essential services are moving in that direction.
• Recruitment of volunteers: The cost of living and changes in family dynamics mean that retirement age people, who traditionally made up a large portion of the volunteer workforce, now spend more time providing childcare for their grandchildren rather than engaging in volunteering.

When asked how Re-engage could better support social prescribers, Lois suggested more frequent regional updates on available services: “It would be helpful to have a simple document listing local services, times, and transport options. Also, seasonal reminders about initiatives like Christmas call companions would be great.”

Additionally, she highlighted the importance of referral tracking: “A quick email update confirming when a referred person has been matched with a volunteer, or has had their first call, would be really useful. It helps us know they’re receiving support and avoids unnecessary follow-ups.”

Lois and her team continue to refer older people to Re-engage’s services, recognising their unique value in reducing loneliness. For those new to our work, she has a clear message: “Re-engage’s telephone befriending and social groups provide essential companionship. They also offer valuable interim support while people wait for statutory services.”

We’re incredibly grateful to Lois and social prescribers across the UK for the work they do in connecting older people with the support they need. As we mark Social Prescribing Day, we remain committed to working together to combat loneliness and help older people feel part of their communities once more. If you're a social prescriber and have any patients aged 75 and above who could benefit from our services, our referral process is quick and easy to complete.