My name’s Andy Hughes, and I wanted to speak about social prescribing because it has genuinely helped turn my life around.
About 18 months ago, I was really struggling with my mental health and chronic pain. I stopped working because I thought that would give me the break I needed to get my mind and body back together. But instead of improving, things gradually got worse. I became more isolated, more anxious, and I reached a point where I felt completely hopeless. I didn’t know where to go for help and I genuinely felt alone in the world.
It got to crisis point, and I was under the crisis mental health team. That’s when my GP referred me to the social prescribing team - and that referral changed everything.
At my first WorkWell session, I was extremely anxious. I was on the verge of a panic attack and ready to bolt. But the team sat me down, calmed me, and supported me to stay. That moment was a turning point. I knew then that I had to try, even though it felt daunting.
What social prescribing gave me was support beyond medication. It became clear that tablets alone weren’t going to fix things. I needed connection, structure and encouragement, and that’s exactly what I found.
Since then, I’ve become involved in gardening for wellbeing, walk and talk sessions, quizzes, the pain café, recovery and wellbeing courses, and volunteering. Through these groups, I’ve built a network of people and started to feel less alone. When you live with pain and poor mental health, isolation can be overwhelming. Meeting others in similar situations helped me realise I wasn’t the only one struggling.
It’s the little victories that have made the biggest difference. At first, I would attend a walk but leave straight after because that felt safe. Now I stay for the tea, coffee and quiz and actually look forward to it. I’m making friends. I’m engaging with life again.
Social prescribing has also helped me at home. I’m more aware of myself and more present with my family. Instead of sitting and stewing in my thoughts, I’ll join my wife in the kitchen or plan activities with my son, like making bird feeders together. It’s taken pressure off my wife too, because it’s not easy watching someone you love struggle and feel helpless.
I’ve even started doing things I would have avoided before, like organising a Valentine’s Day meal for my wife and going away on holiday without overwhelming anxiety. The last time we went away, I needed medication just to cope with the fear and panic of leaving my safe space. Recently, we went away again and I actually enjoyed it. I looked forward to it. I enjoyed the drive. I was up early walking along the seafront with my wife, with no constant stress in the background. That change has happened in less than a year. Now I enjoy life again.
Life is still hard work, and I’m not saying everything is perfect. But the crisis is over. If you imagined it as a graph, there are still bumps, but the overall trend is upwards, without a shadow of a doubt.
The support has made that difference. Before, I felt like I was alone in a hostile world. I didn’t know services like this even existed. Now I know there are people who will encourage you, support you and help you keep showing up, even on the difficult days.
What stands out most is the sense of community. The staff, the group leaders and the people attending all help each other. It’s like a system where the support feeds back into you over time.
This system, the whole thing, it feeds the good back into you. I’d turned into a very hostile, bitter man, and this has put the humanity back into me.
I’m not perfect, but I’m not where I was. I feel connected, supported and involved. I’m volunteering, attending groups, and even encouraging others who are nervous to take that first step.
Social prescribing has been, quite simply, a lifesaver and a godsend. It gave me options, purpose and people around me when I needed it most. I was in a very dark place. And I’m not anymore.
With thanks to Karen Ashby, lead social prescribing link worker at Nuneaton and Bedworth PCN, and the social prescribing team.
