Leicester East MP Shivani Raja has been to DHU’s Heron GP Practice to see a community wellbeing initiative in action.
DHU’s Social Prescriber Rita Blight set up Sip and Support sessions, a safe and welcoming space for people to sit down with a cuppa and talk about whatever is on their mind. Rita, alongside GPs and Healthcare assistants who volunteer their time, provide a listening ear during the four hour sessions for anything from health worries and feelings of isolation to cost of living concerns and vaccinations.
Rita was able to introduce Shivani to those attending the session to understand why they come to the group, how it helps them with their health needs and what it means to have this kind of support within a GP surgery.
"Barriers fall, conversations open up..."
Rita said: “Some of the people we see here have quite complex health and social needs and they can’t always be addressed within a relatively short GP appointment. By opening up our doors to more informal, relaxed sessions and thanks to our health professionals giving their time to this, we find these people open up to us. We get an insight into how we might be able to help them and where in the system they can get that help.
“It’s a simple idea that has really taken off and it’s such an amazing feeling to see barriers fall, conversations open up and people get the help they need. It reminds us about how important it is to talk, but also to listen.”
Shivani Raja MP added: “I’m so pleased to see that innovative social projects like Sip and Support are not only up and running but thriving and well used within our community. It’s clear to see from conversations with those attending that Rita and the team provide valuable, much needed support to vulnerable residents across our city.
“Initiatives like these, helping GPs build up stronger communication networks with their patients, are truly fantastic. They remove social barriers, turning a GP surgery into a community hub, all while creating a clearer path for patients to get the care they need.”
The Sip and Support sessions run between 10am and 2pm twice a month on Wednesdays at the Heron GP Practice based at the Merlyn Vaz Health and Social Centre.
Pictured above, left to right: Shivani Raja (Leicester East MP), Rita Blight (DHU Social Prescriber), Sam Mitchell (DHU Practice Manager), Saurabh Johri (DHU Regional Clinical Director of UEC and Primary Care)
