“Indwell wants tenants to be healthy and thrive, and we’ve learned that this takes more than simply providing housing or even traditional healthcare supports,” said Rachelle August, START Program Supervisor for Indwell in Hamilton.
That’s why Indwell has begun experimenting with a relatively new approach called “social prescribing.” Social prescribing takes a broad view of the concept of health – incorporating social factors such as community connections and opportunities for creative expression, alongside more traditional factors like diet, medicine, and exercise. It also provides a formal way for health providers to address gaps in these broad factors, by using the trusted process of writing a prescription.
First developed in the United Kingdom in the 1990s, social prescribing has now grown into a global movement enabling physicians and other health providers to recommend art, social activities, and cultural events as part of patient care.
At Indwell, incorporating social prescribing has involved seeking funding from the Canadian Red Cross and other grant makers, and making those funds available for tenants to pursue goals for community interaction, creative expression, and more.
To administer the program, front-line staff were trained in what social prescribing is and why it matters. Staff then worked with tenants to identify their goals and submit applications.
“Our model for social prescribing is well aligned with best practices in the area,” said Rachel Courey, Regional Program Manager for Indwell in Hamilton, pointing to Link Workers at other agencies who serve as non-clinical professionals that connect patients from healthcare settings to local community services and support. “The care-planning and goal-setting that Indwell staff already do with tenants is a great primer for where social prescribing can go.”
One tenant, for example, commented on their seasonal mental health issues.
“I always struggle with depression during the winter,” the tenant said. Together with an Indwell staff member, this tenant applied for help to access membership to a local recreation center. “I hope that being able to get out and swim and play basketball will help with my mental health.”
Other tenants asked for funds to purchase gardening supplies, musical instruments, or go on group outings. Applications were vetted and decisions were made on how to use the funds to meet tenant health goals.
As a result, several tenants were able to go to the Royal Botanical Gardens, the war plane museum, or sporting events. Art classes and group sing-alongs were also offered in partnership with local art galleries and organizations. Still other tenants asked for support to pursue specific hobbies.
“Two people published a book together – one wrote the story and the other illustrated the story. Several people received guitars to pursue musical passions. And several others received computers for creative pursuits that included writing and creating online content,” said August.
The social prescribing funds enabled tenants to acquire guitars and other equipment. They then played music and wrote songs together, which had side benefits to participant mental health.
“Through the writing of lyrics, participants were able to process issues such as trauma, homelessness, as well as addiction using a musical tool,” said August.
The first round of funding for Indwell’s social prescribing recently came to an end. A report on how it went discovered that 81% of participants reported an improvement to their emotional well-being, and 78% reported improved mental health. Participants also said that they were more resilient, felt less isolated, and felt an improved sense of dignity.
“Funding and experimenting with social prescribing enabled tenants to participate in interests that they love, allowed them to use their skills, and helped them build their self esteem. This has given them more confidence to interact with others,” said Courey.
A second round of funding for social prescribing has been requested and Indwell hopes to roll it out to even more tenants and programs.
You can also “write a prescription for community” through a gift of hope! For specific giving opportunities like accessible garden beds, art supplies, and fun outings, visit indwell.ca/gifts-of-hope.
Indwell