Community Links Worker Programme roundup 2025

In 2025, the Community Links Worker Programme continued to support people facing challenges such as isolation, poverty and debt.

In 2025, the Community Links Worker (CLW) Programme continued to support people facing issues such as isolation, poverty and debt. One of our greatest achievements this year was the collection and curation of the Humans of Scotland CLW edition, capturing stories from across our programmes, including those of participants, CLWs and GPs. We held a launch event at the University of Glasgow with attendance from contributors and partner agencies.

After a difficult start to the year for our West Dunbartonshire programme due to a reduction in funding, the service underwent a redesign and reshuffle of resources. The team showed great courage and strength throughout this period, and person-centred care remained a top priority. All but one member of staff were redeployed and have now joined the Glasgow programme.

This year, the CLW programme provided input through shadowing opportunities and lecturing to five health and social care curriculums—such as Medicine and Pharmacy—across four universities covering the whole of Scotland.

We submitted abstracts to IFIC in collaboration with Glasgow HSCP, exploring governance structures around managing a Links Worker Programme. Our abstract submission to the VHS conference, focused on collaboration and change, was successful and selected as the winning poster out of ten shortlisted.

Some CLWs secured funding from various streams to continue or create groups where gaps in local services were identified. These included a parents’ bereavement group, men’s mental health support through sports and activity, and peer mental health support.

The LWP worked collaboratively with one of the ALLIANCE’s members to develop tailored training for CLWs after a gap was identified. In addition, peer support sessions were delivered across the LWP to share good practice and learning around the implementation and impact of wellbeing surveys.

Glasgow HSCP provided the LWP with a £50,000 patient fund, reaching numerous families and individuals and offering support for food and fuel poverty through items such as heated blankets, air fryers and hot meals.

The LWP supported an article on meaningful community engagement, published in the British Journal of General Practice in collaboration with the Deep End. The Lines Between evaluation of the Trussel project was also published this year, demonstrating the effect of the programme and further avenues for work.

We strengthened partnership working with Scottish Ballet and collaborated to undertake their social prescribing review. A partnership project with St Andrews School in Glasgow was also established to provide energy advice and guidance to families experiencing fuel and food poverty.

MSP engagement remained strong, with management attending meetings in Parliament and supporting a Ministerial visit to one of the practices to share learning.

Finally, the LWP continues to work towards evaluating and measuring impact via OUTNAV, with completion expected by the end of the year.

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