Jane Cousins - Primary Care Network (PCN) Social Prescriber Team Leader

How does your role help people in South Tees?

I have been in the post of Social Prescriber since 25 January 2021 and I have recently secured the post of PCN Social Prescribing Team Leader, to a team of 8 Social Prescribers covering East Cleveland, Redcar Coastal and the Eston area.

Since being in post I have supported over 250 patients so far,  within various GP surgeries with lots of social issues, financial issues, housing issues, benefit support needs and various other barriers presenting, whereby I have provided details of support services/made referrals to agencies and linked patients to access the support they have needed.

Information, Advice and Guidance for patients is imperative, especially for those not computer savvy, as information sourcing in isolation, can be even more difficult and this has and is being recognised daily within the role of all the SP’s and IAG is something we offer at every intervention, with every patient. 

Social Prescribing – Short Term Support for Long Term Solutions.

Why did you decide to become a Community Champion?

Due to the identification of the needs for further information spreading, I decided to take on the role as Community Champion, therefore,  enabling me to spread information to the patients in support of the issues they face daily and for the links to be made with the professional organisations they need to access the support.