Cornwall has launched an innovative ‘social prescribing’ programme specifically designed to support the mental and physical well-being of its armed forces community. This initiative, focusing on veterans and their families, employs a unique approach by recruiting two Armed Forces Community Social Prescribing Link Workers (AFCSPLWs) who have themselves served in the armed forces. This personal experience equips them with the empathy and understanding necessary to guide veterans through various challenges, ranging from medical care and mental health support to housing, finance, and employment assistance.
The programme, which ran successfully as a pilot from 2021 to 2023, supported over 250 individuals and received acclaim at a national Armed Forces Day event in Falmouth. It aligns with the Armed Forces Covenant in Cornwall, emphasising fair and considerate treatment for those who have served and their families.
Funded for an additional three years, the programme is a collaborative effort involving Active Plus, Public Health, Cornwall Council, and the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board. Social prescribing, the core strategy of the programme, connects individuals with community resources to address their social, emotional, and practical needs affecting health and wellbeing.
Cllr Dr. Andy Virr, cabinet member for adults and public health at Cornwall Council, highlighted the programme’s alignment with Cornwall’s commitment to personalised care and its mental health and suicide prevention strategies. Dr. Richard Sharpe from Cornwall Council and Dr. Matthew Boulter from the NHS Integrated Care Board echoed these sentiments, emphasising the importance of supporting veterans and making health services more veteran-aware.
Cornwall, home to one of the UK’s highest proportions of veterans (6.3%, 30,229 people), has seen an exacerbation in social isolation and mental health issues among veterans due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The social prescribing programme aims to address these challenges, with special focus on those reluctant to seek help due to cultural reasons or existing physical or mental health issues.
Cllr Louis Gardner, a Veteran Royal Navy Submariner and Cornwall Council Armed Forces and Veterans Champion, stressed the significance of the programme, citing research on the complex healthcare needs of ex-service personnel. Cllr Martyn Alvey, an RAF veteran and cabinet member for environment and climate change, added that the programme addresses the need for a single point of contact for veterans, streamlining access to necessary services.
Laura Truckle, Managing Director of Active Plus, expressed enthusiasm about continuing this service, building on their 13-year experience in working with the Armed Forces Community in the South West. The new funding will enable Active Plus to expand its impact, furthering its mission of “helping ourselves by helping others.”
For more information on this vital initiative, the public is encouraged to visit www.activeplus.org.uk.
