About the project
Devised a decade ago by a Frome GP, with an innovation grant, the Health Connections Team provides 12 local practices with Health Coaches, Community Connectors and social prescribing. 2,000 local people have trained as Community Connectors who run peer support groups and signpost family and neighbours to services and activities to improve their health and wellbeing.
Local capacity created
Active and responsive mutual support
Trusted, peer-to-peer relationships
Motivated people willing to be trained and ready to handle responsibility
Local people trained to provide voluntary and skilled prevention and rehabilitation roles
Impact achieved
Greater awareness and self-sufficiency; can align with local health prevention and services
Taking pressure off acute services and over-stretched GPs
A skilled and committed local work force and less reliance on stretched care services