A range of health and wellbeing organisations from across North East Lincolnshire showcased the help and support they offer as part of a special event in Grimsby to celebrate National Social Prescribing Day. On Wednesday, representatives from multiple backgrounds gathered at Centre4 on Wootton Road, Nunsthorpe, to highlight where people can access support for a variety of needs, from young families struggling financially to elderly individuals experiencing loneliness.
Those from Centre4 itself were also present to assist local residents in navigating the various forms of social prescribing available at the community hub. Callum Johnson, Marketing and Communications Lead at Centre4, emphasized the importance of social prescribing, stating, "Social prescribing is connecting people with non-medical support, social activities and community groups - whatever one-to-one support looks like for them and their needs." He further elaborated, "We provide social prescribing at Centre4 by providing them with a link worker and support they can lean on to help them become more independent and navigate the challenges they're going through, whether it's a long-term health condition, family support or mental health problems. It's just about getting people engaged in activities."
Johnson reflected on the pride the Centre4 team feels for the work they do, adding, "In terms of the support that Centre4 offers, it really is something to be proud of and it's something that we don't stand back and reflect on enough. The difference that the teams are making is quite impactful. Social prescribing here really works across the board and we work with young families to elderly people, so it really is an inclusive scheme that is for anybody. We want to offer everyone the help and support they need."
Centre4 features four distinct projects dedicated to social prescribing: 4Families aids families with young children in North East Lincolnshire in building healthier, happier, and more resilient lives; Community Connector engages individuals aged 65 and over in social activities to combat loneliness and rediscover lost passions; Thrive offers one-to-one support for those struggling with long-term health conditions; and Green Social Prescribing, the newest project, focuses on nature-based activities to bolster mental health and wellbeing.
Individuals wishing to utilize social prescribing at Centre4 are connected to a link worker who guides them to community activities, services, and resources. Charlie Ann Bennett, one of those link workers, shared the rewarding nature of her role. "I started in October. Each case is very different and we have to study each referral to determine what the person will benefit from, whether it's social activities, help with housing support, counselling sessions or fitness," she explained. "We do welfare checks and have regular conversations, and establish a care plan which looks at eight factors of their life. We're educating them on how to benefit themselves but also look at different avenues to help them. The team itself is so amazing, I've never worked with people like them. The caseload is quite big, but we make time for absolutely everyone."
Bennett is initiating a Mindful Meditation class at the start of each month, which aims to assist participants in adopting a new mindset. She described her role's satisfaction: "This is one of the best roles I've ever had. I go home and know I've made someone's day even just that little bit easier and made a small difference. A lot of people don't know the support that is out there and we can link them to that service. A lot of people say they didn't even know these things existed, and that's where we come in."
A diverse array of service users at Centre4 also praised the access to support available to them, indicating the wide range of courses, programmes, events, and facilities offered. On March 19, 2025, Centre4 held a special event to mark Social Prescribing Day, attracting the attention of various local organizations. Alison Kincaid, 50, who lives near the community centre, shared how invaluable she found the support after struggling with arthritis. After resigning from a long-term role as a chef, Kincaid felt trapped in her house due to her condition. "I just thought people lived with this type of pain until I sought proper support. Now I get from A to B using a mobility scooter," she recounted. "I went from working 40 to 50 hours a week to being trapped in the house, not doing anything, but Centre4 changed everything."
Kincaid continued, “The Community Shop and the services Centre4 offers have been invaluable to me - they offer an umbrella of activities and support and I've made so many friends. My house was my prison and this place changed that. It went from being my prison to my sanctuary, because now I can come here all day and I feel happy to go back home.”
She attends numerous classes, including a Money Matters course on Mondays, the Melting Pot Cook Club on Tuesdays, and Making it Happen on Thursdays, which covers healthy living and coping strategies. “I've been coming for two years but now I try and have one day at home a week," Kincaid noted. "It was thanks to my doctor and going to Navigo that I ended up coming here and I've never looked back.”
Another service user, DJ Bernard, was referred to the Green Social Prescribing scheme, which utilizes nature-focused activities to aid mental health. Sharing his experience, he stated, "I was referred into this scheme recently by a friend who knows the social prescriber for this scheme. For me, it's so peaceful for the mind, and it's the whole purpose of me doing this. I think the minute your hands touch soil, it does something to the chemicals in your brain and keeps you calm. When I'm gardening, I completely forget about what might have been bothering me before. When I focus on this, I'm happy - especially when the weather is good."
The event underscored the profound impact social prescribing initiatives have had in the local community, demonstrating the necessity for accessible and supportive networks that cater to diverse needs among residents in North East Lincolnshire.
