NALW Response to the King’s Speech

Our CEO, Christiana Melam MBE responds to the King’s Speech 17^th July 2024

On behalf of the National Association of Link Workers (NALW), I welcome the Government’s legislative programme. While the proposed measures are promising, we advocate for a holistic approach across the key areas.

1. Economic Growth and Employment: As the Government seeks to secure economic growth and improve living standards, integrating social prescribing into employment support can address some of the barriers to work. Work is a determinant of health. Link workers can support people and help to remove the barriers, connect individuals to resources that enhance their employability and wellbeing.
2. Education and Skills: The commitment to raising educational standards and promoting children’s wellbeing is commendable. Social prescribing can play a crucial role in supporting students’ mental, social and emotional health. The support required could be help with practical support with life/social issues rather than counselling or medicalisation that do not address the real issue. Integrating link workers into schools can provide holistic support for students and their families/carers facing challenges.
3. Housing and Infrastructure: As the Government aims to get Britain building and improve housing, incorporating social prescribing into housing initiatives can address underlying social issues. Link workers can help residents access community resources to become empowered, improving overall quality of life and fostering connected, healthy communities.
4. Mental Health: The proposed Mental Health Bill is a positive step, but a broader Mental Health and Wellbeing Act would ensure a holistic medical and non-medical approach emphasising prevention and personalised sustainable support.
5. Community and Preventive Health: The emphasis on prevention aligns with the strengths of social prescribing. With broader use of social prescribing, we can ensure that individuals receive early interventions and reduce the burden on medical services. Link workers can play a pivotal role in supporting patients with long-term conditions, improving their quality of life through tailored non-medical interventions.
6. Reducing Waiting Lists: Addressing long waiting lists is a priority, and social prescribing has a role in enabling patients to ‘wait well.’ There is also an opportunity to review waiting lists to explore social prescribing interventions for patients while they wait, providing support and resources to improve their overall wellbeing. Additionally, this review can identify patients placed on waiting lists inappropriately, ensuring patients receive timely and right care, reducing strain on the healthcare system, and preventing further deterioration.
7. Integrated Care Systems: As the Government aims to improve the National Health Service (NHS), we advocate for the integration of social prescribing within the NHS’s primary and secondary care pathways to provide holistic service to patients.
8. Public Safety and Community Policing: Strengthening community policing and support for victims is crucial. Social prescribing can aid in addressing the social factors that contribute to crime and anti-social behaviour, supporting rehabilitation and community cohesion.
9. Climate and Sustainability: As the Government commits to addressing climate change, social prescribing can support communities in adapting to sustainable practices. Link workers can promote community-led environmental initiatives, enhancing both health and environmental outcomes.

The good news is that we have social prescribing examples across 1-9. We at NALW are keen to work alongside the Government to ensure that the legislative measures translate into tangible and maximum benefits for all.