Community Links Worker Programme roundup 2024

10 year celebrating successes and collaboration across Primary Care and Third Sector.

2024 Overview

A major success of the Community Links Worker Programme (LWP) in 2024 was the celebration of 10 years delivery across GP practices, starting in Glasgow in 2014 with only 7 Community Links Workers to now over 80 CLWs with far wider reach than just Primary Care.

In 2024, the ALLIANCE were successful in securing the full contract in Glasgow which consists of 80 Deep End GP practices, this is an increase from previous year when we were based across 53 practices. In addition to this we also secured the thematic posts which cover Asylum Seeker and Homelessness working across Primary Care and specialist services. We welcomed 34 new staff in April some of whom were transferred from previous contract provider as well as recruitment of new staff.

In West Dunbartonshire the contract was renewed again for another year highlighting the importance this programme has shown across many areas. A final year medical student undertook his elective around the LWP looking at trends across the programme as well as primary care interventions. The LWP had the opportunity to present and deliver sessions at local, national and international platforms such as lectures to medical, pharmacology and health & welfare students, Deep End conference, Scottish Government parliamentary reception and IFIC 2024 in Belfast.

The 3 big referring issues have remained steady over the years are Mental Health & Wellbeing, Housing and Poverty related issues. In 6 months there has been over 13,000 interactions providing support and guidance around mental health related issues and over 40,000 wellbeing chats. With this in mind we continue to build and strengthen relationships across many sectors to build and address these social determinants that impact on the overall wellbeing of citizens such as Moira Anderson Foundation, bereavement café, Wheatley and other housing providers, WAHP Worker (Welfare, Advice Health Partnership) Kids Out (addressing child poverty issues with practical support across the year but particularly at Christmas and Eid) , SGN and Trussel. This has led to collaborative working partnerships with Trussel and SGN with the ALLIANCE now employing 5 staff to provide assistance and support within foodbanks and Energy advice and guidance across Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire. Over 500 emergency food and fuel vouchers have been provided to individuals and families across Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire.

In one quarter almost 4,000 people were supported across the programmes and we look forward to continuing with this high level of support across 2025.

Quotes from 2024

• “We are both so grateful and appreciative of the support you have shown us” – Patient
• “My Community Links Worker was very supportive and helpful and continues to support me. Very compassionate and caring to my situation.” – Patient
• “Our Community Links Worker provides an invaluable service. She has a wealth of knowledge which enhances patients’ lives and provides access to resources that we would not be aware of.” – Primary Care Clinician

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