Links Worker Programme review 2022

The Links Worker Programme continues to expand, reach and support individuals across Scotland.

The Links Worker Programme is now an established social prescribing force across two local authority areas, offering targeted support to participants and assisting GPs across nearly 70 practices

By the end of November, over 8,500 people across Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire had engaged with a Community Links Worker (CLW) in 2022, with a month still to go in the year, and in the same time frame over 34,000 appointments took place.  This included over 6,500 in-person appointments, as part of a gradual transition to a “new normal”, though we expect telephone interactions going forward to be a greater part of a CLW’s diary than it was before the pandemic.  CLWs continue to deal with a wide range of issues, with the cost-of-living crisis becoming a particular focus towards the end of the year.

The successful Glasgow programme continued in Deep End practices, and a one-year extension to the original contract was granted this year, taking the programme to March 2023.  Meanwhile, ALLIANCE Community Links Workers are now working across every practice in West Dunbartonshire.

May was a busy month for the programme, with a delegation attending the National Association of Link Workers conference in London, where three of our staff were finalists in the Association’s annual awards.  One of our staff members won the Link Worker of the Year award, with another being a finalist for this, and a third CLW was a finalist for the Partnership of the Year award—the ALLIANCE had more finalists than any other organisation.  Other successes include two successful poster presentations: one was shortlisted in June when presented at the NHS Scotland 2022 Event in Aberdeen, and another was a winner at the Voluntary Health Scotland Annual Conference in October.

CLWs continued partnership working with statutory and other third-sector organisations across the areas served, leading walking groups and other community activities, and asset mapping what resources are available.  One walk of note was the one organised for Self Management Month in September, with 58 attendees taking part in a walking tour of Glasgow Necropolis; this brought together fifteen health walk groups from across Glasgow.

We have continued the ongoing partnership with KidsOut, with gifts being provided to children for Christmas and Eid (more than 400 for Christmas this year) across both areas.  In West Dunbartonshire, the team and wider ALLIANCE have helped to support community organisations, donating food to a charity that works locally, and outdoor clothing to a local charity for primary-age children and adults attending outdoor activity programmes.

Beyond the voluntary sector, CLWs have worked with the University of Glasgow, some of whose medical and pharmacy students shadowed CLWs this year.  In addition, the programme has begun a partnership with SGN, the gas network operator for Scotland, with food and fuel vouchers being provided to vulnerable individuals and families, and eligible individuals being added to the Priority Service Register.  Over 250 vouchers have been issued so far.

Looking forward, 2023 is likely to see a focus on tendering for the renewed Glasgow Links contract.  September 2023 will also see the Links Worker Programme’s tenth anniversary celebration, with exciting plans for this already being developed.  Watch this space!

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