Strengthened Connections: Evaluation of a well-being programme delivered through Community Social Workers in a primary care setting

Community Social Workers (CSW’s) began working in GP surgeries
within the WHSCT in 2019 including those in Clarendon Medical. As part
of their work in the Clarendon Medical community they formed a working
partnership with the YWCL group who gave their time freely to help the
CSW’s run a pilot programme called Healthy Connections in the surgery.
The connection was created and grew. YWCL secured funding from The
Ideas Fund to work together with patients from the Clarendon Medical
community to coproduce a well-being project. They delivered the project
to the wider patient community. Evaluation of the programme was done
by a researcher from Ulster University, also funded by The Ideas Fund
through YWCL. The evaluation was mixed methods with the main focus
on qualitative methods. Patients overwhelmingly reported positive
experiences of the programme. This report continues the story of the
evolution of this medical practice into a community empowered to look
after their wellness