Information & Advice (Social Prescribing)
Connecting residents to practical, non-medical support that improves health, income and wellbeing.
Social Prescribing connects people to local, non-medical support that improves health and wellbeing. CAVS delivers this through several linked services, each working with a different group of residents and referral routes, described below.
"Thank you so much for all your kind help, you have been an absolute life-saver!"
"I can't thank you enough for all the support that you have given me over the weeks to help overcome the challenges I am facing."
Ways to Wellness
Ways to Wellness is an information and advice service for Castle Point. The service aims to improve health and wellbeing by connecting people with local services, activities and community support.
Our telephone-based service gives you the chance to have an informal conversation about your current circumstances, helping us identify suitable local support and opportunities, including:
- Social groups and clubs
- Information and advice
- Lifestyle support, including health, fitness and addiction services
- Emotional and physical health support
- Community transport
- Family support
- Carer services
- Volunteering opportunities
Referring in
Complete the short referral form below or call 01268 214000 for a hard copy. If referring for someone else, please ensure their consent has been obtained.
Photo – Information & Advice (Social Prescribing) 1
Information & Advice Service
Essex Cares Limited has contracted CAVS to provide information and advice services to customers referred for short-term care following a recent hospital stay.
CAVS' trained Information & Advice Co-Ordinators offer confidential, impartial and free information, guidance and support in:
- Welfare benefit reviews
- Support completing DWP Attendance Allowance applications
- Guidance and support with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) applications
- Blue Badge guidance
- Befriending services
- Counselling and bereavement services
- Dementia support
- Advocacy
- Sitting services
- Community transport
- Reducing loneliness and social isolation through local groups and clubs
- Home help services
- Home visiting services
- Essential Living Fund referrals
- General social support and guidance to promote health and wellbeing through non-medical interventions
Referring in
All referrals are received directly from Essex Cares Limited.
Wellbeing Link Coordinators (Social Prescribers)
Many people who visit their GP are dealing with issues that affect both their physical and mental wellbeing. Our Wellbeing Link Coordinators support patients to improve their health and quality of life, helping them feel more confident and in control.
If you are registered with a GP practice on Canvey, our friendly team is here to listen and help. They offer a safe, confidential space to talk about the challenges you may be facing and take a practical, whole-person approach. They can connect you with local community groups, services and organisations providing practical and emotional help.
Help and guidance includes:
- Welfare support (home help, transport, fire safety)
- Signposting to other services
- Work (employment and training support)
- Community involvement (groups, clubs and volunteering)
- Falls prevention
- Health and wellbeing advice
- Low-level mental health support (anxiety, depression, bereavement)
- Blue Badge and Attendance Allowance form-filling
Referring in
Complete the short referral form below or call 01268 214000 for a hard copy. Please ensure consent has been obtained if referring for someone else.
Photo – Information & Advice (Social Prescribing) 2
Community Support Advisor
Our Community Support Advisor works at Southend Hospital and supports Castle Point residents preparing to return home after a hospital stay.
Working closely with hospital teams, the Advisor talks with patients before they leave to identify any support they may need once home, making the transition home as safe and comfortable as possible.
We provide a friendly, personalised service focused on non-medical support - helping patients access practical help and local community services that support recovery and wellbeing, and helping reduce unnecessary returns to hospital. After patients return home, the Advisor continues to check in.
Find out more
If you have a family member in Southend Hospital and would like to find out more, please contact our main office on 01268 214000 or email wellness@cavsorg.uk.
The Castle Point Home and Wellbeing Service
Our Wellbeing Advisor works closely with Castle Point Council's Housing Team and SECE Mind's Floating Mental Health Support service to help residents access the support they need.
The service supports tenants facing social, emotional or practical challenges by connecting them with local non-clinical services, including voluntary and community organisations.
The Wellbeing Advisor helps individuals, families and carers take greater control of their health and wellbeing, maintain their independence and improve their quality of life. A key part of the role is building trusted relationships by giving people time and space to talk about what matters most - so support is tailored to each person's needs.
Referring in
Complete the short referral form below or call 01268 214000 for a hard copy. Please ensure consent has been obtained if referring for someone else.
Information & Advice referral form
FORM - Information & Advice Referral