The Bridge Renewal Trust and local partners are pleased to be celebrating Social Prescribing Day with the announcement of a successful joint bid of £50,000 to build on existing social prescribing community activities within Haringey.

The new co-produced project, named Thrive Haringey, aims to expand activities across several sectors to increase their reach, particularly for those people most impacted by Covid and health inequalities.

The award is the result of an application to the Thriving Communities Fund delivered by Arts Council England (ACE) on behalf of the National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP). It was led by the Bridge Renewal Trust, along with core partners Jacksons Lane, Public Voice and Tottenham Hotspur Foundation. Haringey Council and North Central London Clinical Commissioning Group (Haringey Directorate) will also provide match funding and support the work to develop an ambitious and sustainable project.

Thrive Haringey will support Social Prescribers in their work by developing neighbourhood-based community activities across sectors including Arts & Culture, Sport & Physical Activities, Financial Advice & Food, Environment and Health & Care. In due course, work with other local organisations will also maximise the offer of activities.

The programme will also expand NavNet, a peer support network that is administered by the Bridge Renewal Trust and Haringey Council and brings together social prescribers and other workers who connect Haringey residents to local services.

Rachel Hughes, Chair of The Bridge Renewal Trust said: “This fund will provide a great opportunity to raise awareness about social prescribing across Haringey and connect residents to a range of local, non-clinical services to support their physical and mental health and wellbeing.”

“It is also happening in a time of great need, as it will improve the take up of activities by communities most impacted by Covid such as older people, including those shielding and with dementia and mobility issues, BAME communities and families on low income living in deprived neighbourhoods.”