How does the Rushcliffe Self-Care Pathway work?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How does the Rushcliffe Self-Care Pathway work?
IRAS ID
235506
Contact name
Clifford Stevenson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Nottingham Trent University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The Social Cure approach (Jetten et al., 2015) posits that our social groups (e.g., family or community) have effects on mental wellbeing. This has been shown with general population as well as individuals struggling from particular issues, like depression, trauma, eating disorders or those experiencing discrimination and transition (Haslam et al. 2009, Jetten et al. 2012). Specifically, the literature highlights that health benefits will not be obtained by simple attendance at group meetings/interactions: one must identify with the group/s in question (i.e., experience a sense of group belonging).
In parallel with this research, a range of academics and practitioners have begun to investigate Social Prescribing (Brandling & House, 2009). This is an initiative whereby patients presenting with problems like mental ill-health and social isolation are told about social groups in the local community (e.g., gardening groups, craft groups, etc.) and are supported in their joining and continuing membership of one of these groups. One such programme is the Rushcliffe Self-Care Pathway, which is intended to improve illness prevention and self-management. Patients meet with a Health Behaviour Advisor (HBA), who assesses their needs before referring them on to self-care management or to Community Connectors, which in turn act as link workers to appropriate third sector organisations.
The project will also explore how Social Prescribing works (i.e., the Social Cure mechanisms that the existing evidence suggests to be at the heart of this initiative). A mixed method approach will be used to quantify the changes brought by the intervention on Quality of Life and service use, as well as mechanisms that could influence the impact of this intervention. In-depth perspectives of service users and service providers will inform the barriers and facilitators of implementing this intervention.REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/WM/0398
Date of REC Opinion
21 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion