14 August 2024

Celebrating the success of Community Link working in Argyll and Bute

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WithYou has delivered Community Links in Argyll and Bute since December 2021. The service can help with a range of challenges, including low mood, sleep problems, anxiety and stress, as well as practical issues such debt and housing issues.

Team Leader, Rachel McLean, explains the programme:

While your GP and practice nurse offer treatments for medical issues, they often don’t have time to explore other types of support with their patients.This is where we come in. We’re able to spend more time with you to explore different resources and techniques that may be helpful.

Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership recently published a report on the impact of Community Links for patients, GP practices, and local communities. Findings include:

  • 90% of clients who completed outcomes measures upon leaving the service reported positive changes in their health and wellbeing

  • The most common referrals relate to mental health and wellbeing, feelings of loneliness and isolation, financial hardship and advice, and stress management

  • Community Link Workers have effectively connected individuals to support services, offered self-management education, and enhanced access to appropriate advice and services

Sovay Fitzpatrick, Head of Service Delivery at WithYou, says:

We have an incredible staff team; full of compassion, skill and local knowledge. This team helps people to take steps to live happier and healthier lives. We are grateful for the fantastic support from the GP surgeries, community organisations and all the Health and Social Care Partnership services in Argyll and Bute. Together we have made a great success of Community Link Working.

Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership is now undertaking work to expand the service and look at how it can be delivered in more remote and rural areas, in collaboration with GP practices and those living in those communities.

Want to find out more about Community Links in Argyll and Bute?

Watch this video and listen to Rachel McLean, Community Link Worker, chat about the service.