Links Worker programme – review of 2019

Our Links Worker programme review activities over 2019 for the ALLIANCE Annual Report

The start of 2019 was a difficult time for the Links Worker programme as funding changed and it was then part of a wider procurement process. The programme was successful in securing the 18 Community Links Practitioners (CLPs) remaining in their practices and by the end of the year another 13 CLPs were recruited and inducted onto the programme and into new practices across the city of Glasgow.

Each GP Practice in Scotland is a member of a local cluster of usually between five and eight GP surgeries in a close geographic location. One new cluster joined the programme with four new CLPs being based in GP practices within that cluster.

The programme continues to focus on areas of socioeconomic deprivation by being based within Deep End practices. In 2019 we worked with over 2000 individuals across several practices each being active at different times of the year.

Issues that CLPs work together with individuals to identify and begin to address, through both direct support and identifying and accessing appropriate sources of support, continue to be comprised of a wide range of complex interlinking social, mental and physical issues. Throughout discussions, gaps in services have been noted and the CLPs have worked closely with partners to look at engaging people in other activities within the communities such as chair yoga, walking groups,  young adults group, cookery classes and jewellery making.

Some specific highlights from the programme from the past year, as shared by CLPs and individuals, include four of the team attending the first ever National Association of Links Workers conference in London which provided the opportunity to speak about the Links Worker Programme and facilitate some of the workshops.

“I have very much enjoyed my first few months with the ALLIANCE and in the GP practice. I have enjoyed how varied the role is and how there is scope to bring in our creative sides when working with people. I have gone from helping a family get a new heating system installed in their home free of charge, to helping someone re access their email address that they have been locked out of for a year. Asking people what matters to them has been very impactful and has led to positive outcomes like these and  better relationships with the people we support in the practice.”

“The Young Adults Project (YAP) was set up 18 months ago to address a gap in mental health services for 16-21 year olds, for those who didn’t appear to fit into services, but also struggled to be part of their external communities. The primary aim was to reach young people who have found themselves detached from their communities, have limited opportunities to thrive and develop into aspiring adults or find existing services are beyond them. These were identified by 2 of our Community Links Practitioner (CLPs) for their respective GP Practices. The project offers young adults space and support to build on their resilience, confidence and self-worth to increase their life chances within a safe and supportive environment.”

1. “Attending NALW first annual conference at London City Hall on ‘Link worker day 19’ was a great opportunity for us to meet staff from existing and emerging links programmes across the UK and share knowledge of our successes and learning so far.”
2. “It’s fantastic that the programme is expanding and upon hearing about the senior position I was delighted there was opportunity for progression, particularly having been over 5 years in my role as a CLP. It’s been a great experience so far and thoroughly enjoyable to manage a team of 6 as well as continue my role in practice as a CLP. There has also been numerous training opportunities for taking on a leadership role and I look forward to developing my role as a senior in the coming years.”
3. “…Chair yoga: One woman described how she had ‘controlled and averted a panic attack on a bus using the simple breathing practices she had learned. . . a situation that would normally have had her in a blind panic and having to get off the bus’.
4. Another person said that they had “enjoyed meeting everyone’ (in the group) and learned how to breathe properly!”

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