Health announces £330k of funding for wellbeing projects

Guernsey's social prescribing scheme and a charity that supports families have both been given government funding.

The Health & Social Care committee has given £270,000 to continue the Bailiwick Prescribing Scheme (BSP), which has benefited more than 1,000 islanders since it was set up.

It launched in 2021, as a pilot scheme aimed at improving islanders' health and wellbeing.

The model prioritises using community-based groups and charities rather than medication to create healthy mindsets.   During the pilot, 656 adults were referred to the BSP.

Link Workers provide personalised support to link patients with social and community groups, voluntary organisations, and statutory services that offer suitable solutions - from physical activity, art and craft workshops and singing to support with housing and money worries or bereavement.

The pilot was funded by cash from Guernsey Community Foundation, Public Health Services, the Health Improvement Commission and the Social Investment Fund.

Data suggested 61% of those with BSP had fewer GP appointments in the 12 months after joining the scheme.

HSC has now assumed responsibility for funding the scheme.  £270,000 will be used to cover staffing and running costs and recruit another Link Worker and part-time administrator.

Dr Simon Sebire, Health Improvement Commission CEO said:

"We are delighted that Bailiwick Social Prescribing now has secure funding and can continue to provide impactful support to people to improve their health and well-being."

Deputy Marc Leadbeater, Vice-President of the Committee for Health & Social Care said the pilot had been a success: 

"This partnership working with the charity sector is helping transform how we manage health and wellbeing from a focus on ill health to a wider consideration of what constitutes better health for islanders.

“This is a positive example of partnership working and is the latest of more than 30 formally commissioned services that exist between government and the charity sector. Commissioning charities to deliver services is an effective way for government to support community wellbeing.”

Separately, HSC has provided a one-off grant of £60,000 to a charity that supports Guernsey families and helps to make sure children have the best start in life.

The money will ensure Bright Beginnings can continue to run its Children's Centre in 2025.

Rachel Copeland – Bright Beginnings Chair of Board of Directors, said:

“Our experienced staff support families with a wide range of challenges, and also receive referrals from professionals, including health visitors, midwives, doctors and social workers, who recognise the positive impact we have on parental mental health and therefore children’s outcomes.

"This generous grant from HSC will allow us to keep providing crucial early help and prevention to families in Guernsey, and we look forward to working in partnership with the States of Guernsey to explore the further development of services in the future.”

HSC says it will work with Bright Beginnings and other charities to explore future services and how they are provided and paid for:

Deputy Heidi Soulsby, Political lead for the charity sector, said:

“We’ll be considering whether there’s an opportunity to commission some of these services to meet the needs of our community in the most efficient and impactful way.

This has the potential to add to the many commissioned services we already have in place which exist as partnerships between the States of Guernsey and the charity sector for the benefit of islanders.”