Connect for Health Social Prescribing

Connect for Health is a free and confidential service aimed at improving your Health and Wellbeing.

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Connect for health Being Well Together

About Connect for Health

We provide a free and confidential service aimed at improving your Health and Wellbeing. This means ‘prescribing’ non-medical support in the community where you live. It’s typically used to address things like bereavement, finances, housing, loneliness and anxiety or stress, alongside medical treatments.

Whether you use our main Connect for Health service, or our more specialised Hospital to Home, or Connect for Health Respiratory, we’re here to help. Our Community Connectors can give you support for health and wellbeing in Suffolk by linking you to local services, groups and activities that meet your needs. You could find new friends, improve your fitness, find the right housing, feel more in control of your finances and so much more.

Everything we do is based on what matters to you, so you can live a healthier, happier life.

How the service works

When you refer to us, you’ll be allocated to a Community Connector . They’ll be your main point of contact for the service and will help you to find appropriate support. You’ll have a first appointment (either over the phone or face-to-face) to:

  • Discuss “What matters to you”, and what support you need.
  • Create a personalised action plan together, including any next steps and referrals to the right services.
  • Book follow-up appointments to check your progress against your action plan and arrange extra support where needed.

Why refer to Connect for Health?

Our Connect for Health services focus on your needs as a whole, and work with you to find the right solutions. Over time, you could feel better connected to others, see improvements to your mental health and wellbeing, and feel more able to manage a long-term health condition.

Our Community Connectors can:

  • Talk with you about the issues you’re facing.
  • Explore what matters to you in your life.
  • Find services that could benefit you in your area.

Our Connect for Health services

Connect for Health also covers the specialist services of Connect for Health: Hospital to Home, and Connect for Health Respiratory.

Connect for Health: Hospital to Home

If you’re in hospital and there’s something delaying or preventing you from being discharged, we can help. Our Hospital Community Connectors can identify relevant health and wellbeing services in Suffolk and provide support after you’ve been discharged. This may include: 

  • Housing related issues such as poor housing conditions or accommodation that is no longer suitable.
  • Liaising with external services to make your discharge smoother eg: Care Services, social care, practical support services.
  • Arranging transport from the hospital to home.

This service is for inpatients only and referrals must be made by hospital staff.

Connect for Health Respiratory

This service is right for you if you have a lung condition such as COPD, asthma or long Covid. Our Respiratory Community Connectors can:

  • Recommend community activities that will support your lung health: These could be walking, singing or art groups that could improve your wellbeing, reduce breathlessness and boost your mental and physical health.
  • Connect you with others: Find other people in your area with similar interests.
  • Provide practical advice: Manage finances, transport, housing and more.
  • Refer you to other support to help manage your condition: Link with other services that meet your needs.

Sign up for free wellbeing support in Suffolk

Step 1 of 3
Who is the support for? (required)

Alternatively, to access our Connect for Health services, you (or the person you’re referring) must be over 18 and registered with a GP surgery in Suffolk. You can:

Phone us

The number for all our services is 01394 332265

Send us an email

Please contact the relevant service:

Frequently asked questions

Anyone aged over 18 who’s registered with a GP in Suffolk can access our services, but you must have a respiratory condition to sign up to Connect for Health Respiratory. If you’re not sure which service is right for you, call our team: 01394 332265.

Following a chat, we’ll be able to refer you to free wellbeing support in Suffolk. This could be anything from joining community groups to getting financial advice or help with housing.

Many people feel listened to and feel that they matter. They see improvements to their mental and physical wellbeing, and are more confident managing long‑term health conditions.

Yes, however your consent will be required if any onward referrals are made. In accordance with GDPR, all our Connect for Health services are confidential and consent can be withdrawn at any time.

Yes, all Connect for Health services are free.

Your GP can refer you but anyone can refer into this service and you can even refer yourself if required.

A copy of your action plan will be given to you on or after the first appointment and updated where necessary.

Depending on the service, and what your needs are, we would normally complete support within 3 months.

Delivered in partnership with

Connect for health Being Well Together, NHS Logo