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Queens Road Medical Practice has launched new partnerships with The Accidental Zoo and Guernsey Conservation Volunteers as part of its free social prescribing service, providing an alternative to clinical interventions for improving mental and physical health.
Social prescribing enables GPs, nurses, and other primary care professionals to refer patients to a range of local and non-clinical services. People can self-refer, so they don’t have to see their doctor first if it’s not necessary.
The prescribing service was launched in February 2020. Since then, the link worker, Clare Arnold, has had 117 referrals. By partnering with The Accidental Zoo and the Guernsey Conservation Volunteers, additional activities can now be offered exclusively by the charities.
Ms Arnold was delighted with the progress of the service and looked forward to the future with the new partnerships.
“It’s been a pleasure to see how our social prescribing service has improved people’s mental and physical health,” she said.
“Our partnership with The Accidental Zoo and Guernsey Conservation Volunteers represents a significant step forward in the range of activities that we can offer islanders, helping them get in touch with nature and their local community."
The social prescribing service was recently subject to a Special Report article in CONNECT which you can view by clicking HERE.
Pictured: Queens Road Medical Practice has offered the unique service for over two years.
The Accidental Zoo provides a 12-week wellbeing programme harnessing the calming effect of nature to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Charlotte Le Guilcher, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of The Accidental Zoo, said: “We are proud to partner with Queens Road Medical Practice on this exciting alternative to clinical treatment.
“Working with animals and nature improves mental and physical wellbeing. We provide a reassuring environment to help people begin the process of healing. We’re looking forward to welcoming new recruits."
Angela Salmon, Group Coordinator of the Guernsey Conservation Volunteers, welcomed the partnership and the opportunity to host people across the island each week.
“Offering a safe space with our volunteers will ensure people can focus on their mental and physical health while also helping maintain Guernsey’s beautiful environment. We are very proud to be supporting our local community and helping people learn new skills."
Pictured (top): Guernsey Conservation Volunteers (left) and the Accidental Zoo in action.
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