Wigan Community Link Worker Scheme

Lead service provider/commissioner

Name:

NHS Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group

Type of knowledge

Type of knowledge:

Project evaluation

Type of evaluation:

Outcome evaluation

Prevention service description

The Community Link Worker scheme aimed to: Improve the health and well-being of local people by connecting them to community based activities which support their independence ; address non-clinical demands on primary and acute services by delivering a tested intervention which connects people to sources of support within their community; make effective use of voluntary and community sector assets by improving connections and relationships between local communities & voluntary sector organisations and traditional providers of health and social care; support transformational changes to the way health and social care are delivered through a new model that focuses on individual assets and community resources.

The Service has threee main pathways: Primary Care, Adult Social Care and Acute Care. Within each pathway professionals are able to identfy service users who would potentially benefit from the CLW service, so for example if a service user shows interest in a certain acivity within the community. Each pathway has it's own referal route but service users are then given an intial appointment with a worker, either in a home or care setting, to identify indivual goals and potential opportunities. As a result of this initial appointment, the client may be referred to additional services, receive information over email about community activities or have an appointment booked, for example, with a debt advice service Service users can decline the service at any point. If a service user is confident and able to access services the worker will often only then follow up with a telephone call or visit where necessary. If a service user needs additional support to access identified services or activities the worker is able to attend with them or arrange and link with other support services to facilitate participation. Cases referred to Community Link Workers are not closed, therefore service users may re-access the service where necessary.

Intervention/service type:

Befriending, mentoring and peer support; Information and advice; Community services; Low-level support; Carers support; Self-care

Target client group(s):

Older people; Adults with long-term health conditions; Adults with learning disabilities; Adults with mental health problems; Adults with physical disabilities; Vulnerable adults