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Wellbeing & practical support: Our Social Prescribing Project

Did you know that things like money worries, poor housing, or feeling isolated can have a massive impact on your physical and mental health? Sometimes, medicine isn't the only answer to feeling better. That’s where Social Prescribing comes in.

How we can help

We are funded two days a week in partnership with the Rotherham Social Prescribing Service at Voluntary Action Rotherham (VAR) to deliver specialist advice and casework that connects the dots between your practical needs and your health. If non-medical challenges are stressing you out or making a long-term health condition harder to manage, we are here to provide dedicated, one-to-one support.

Our dedicated Social Prescribing advisers work closely with you—often visiting you in the comfort of your own home—to sort out the practical problems that are weighing you down. We can help with:

  • Maximising your income: Complete full benefit checks to ensure you are receiving everything you are entitled to (such as Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, or Carer’s Element).
  • Form filling & applications: Helping you confidently navigate complex paperwork for disability benefits, Blue Badges, and cost-of-living schemes.
  • Advocacy support with welfare rights: Supporting you navigate through applications and getting access to the right services.
  • Housing & rental issues: Advising on council transfers, addressing housing arrears, and challenging unfair deductions like the bedroom tax.
  • Connecting locally: Linking you back up with community initiatives, social groups, and health services across Rotherham to improve your overall well-being.
  • Get help from the rest of our team: From specialist debt support, to energy bill queries, we will ensure you have access to our internal services.

How we're supporting people

Real impact in Rotherham

A lift for lifeline trips

We recently supported a 79-year-old gentleman undergoing end-of-life care. Because he could no longer drive, he was spending a massive portion of his limited income on taxis just to visit his wife in her care home every day. Our adviser successfully helped him apply for the enhanced rate of Attendance Allowance (£101.75 per week), meaning he no longer has to worry about the cost of traveling to see his wife.

Real impact story

How we're supporting people

Real impact in Rotherham

Unlocking hidden entitlements

A local couple in their 80s were struggling with bills despite owning their home. After a home visit from our adviser, we discovered they qualified for Pension Credit. They were awarded an extra £75.00 a week, alongside a free TV licence and a successful Blue Badge application.

Real impact story

Am I eligible & how do I access the service?

Because this project is strictly integrated with local health networks, referrals must come through the Rotherham Social Prescribing Service at Voluntary Action Rotherham (VAR) via your GP surgery or health practitioner.

How to get started:

  1. Contact your local Rotherham GP surgery or community health worker.
  2. Ask them for a referral to the Rotherham Social Prescribing Service at Voluntary Action Rotherham.
  3. Once VAR reviews your needs, they will refer you directly to our team for our specialist 2-day-a-week casework service.

Meet the team

Our small, friendly team is dedicated to supporting your journey toward better financial stability, independence, and peace of mind.

“I specialise in home visits and complex benefit advice. My favorite part of the job is taking the stress out of paperwork and seeing the massive weight lift off a peoples shoulders when their award comes through.”

Amanda Kirk – Social Prescribing Caseworker

“Also specialising in home visits with 15 years of Citizens Advice experience, I volunteer my time to this project because it is incredibly important to me and Citziens Advice to see as many people as we can in vulnerable situations.”

Greg Long – Social Prescribing caseworker (Volunteer)