Salvation Army works with NHS social prescribers in Bury

Salvation Army bolsters its support for the Bury community 

The Salvation Army is extending its support programme by working with NHS social prescribers during its weekly drop-in to get people the help they need as times remain tough. 

Taking place on alternate Thursdays at the church and community centre on Brookshaw Street, the NHS social prescribers drop-in will run alongside the community café from 10:30 am – 1:00 pm. Every first and third Thursday of the month The Salvation Army will work with local GPs and NHS services to connect people to non-medical, community-based services to improve their health and wellbeing at a time when more and more people are being pushed into poverty and are struggling to make ends meet. 

Depression, loneliness, lack of social networks and the high cost-of-living are all factors that can make people struggle in their day to day lives and rather than treat with medication, such as anti-depressants, The Salvation Army is working with NHS social prescribers to sign post people to other organisations that can help such as friendship groups, food clubs and debt advice services. 

Captain Cor van der Woude, church leader of The Salvation Army in Bury said: “We wanted to provide a one stop shop of support for members of the community who are struggling. A place where access to a wealth of help is readily available and if a particular need isn’t met, we can direct to where it can be. People can already use our church to access food supplies at our weekly food club, job support through our Employment Plus service, friendship at our community café and now non-medical ways to improve health and wellbeing. 

“We want people to be able to visit the NHS social prescriber link workers without shame and we want to prevent the hurdles being put in the way so people can get the support that they desperately need. It is an important part of our mission to reach people in our community who are in poverty or isolated, people who need that helping hand without judgement. We see this as our opportunity to build our community up, help everyone, be at the heart of the community and we do this because of our faith and strive to ensure the network of support we offer can grow.” 

All members of the community can access the support they need from the NHS social prescribers including people who are long term unemployed, people with health issues and those with mental health worries. The assistance comes at a time when job markets are stagnant, the cost of living remains high, and many people are now struggling to make ends meet. 

Captain Cor added: “We know people are only just surviving. We want to help them, we want our community to thrive, and we want to give people dignity once again and be able to live their lives without worry.”

For anyone wanting to support The Salvation Army’s work throughout Bury, donations can be made at www.salvationarmy.org.uk/bury.