Exeter’s exciting new approach to help young people improve their wellbeing is now here.
Young people aged 11 to 18, who live in Exeter, can now receive a different type of prescription from their GP to help them improve their wellbeing.
Doctors can now prescribe young people with some specialist time with a Community Connector. The Community Connector staff will explore with young people their goals and challenges; helping them access clubs, groups and interests that will result in improvements to their wellbeing. The programme is designed as a non-medical approach to help young people overcome loneliness and anxiety and is being run by Devon based charities Young Devon and Space Youth Services, and overseen by Wellbeing Exeter.
This type of support, called social prescribing, has been available for the last three years for adults and, due to its success, is now being rolled out for young people. Wellbeing Exeter is the organisation behind the coordination of the adult provision, as well as the new young people’s provision, and will be supporting the charity partners to ensure its success.
“Young Devon and Space Youth Services are delighted to be working together again to deliver this new and innovative social prescribing programme for young people in Exeter.
Both organisations have a long history of meeting young people’s needs in partnership with each other. By positively connecting young people to others in their communities, we can support them to build resilience, develop healthy networks and to overcome the challenges they’re facing.”
- Andrew Moreman, CEO of Young Devon
- Kev Henman, CEO of Space Youth Services
Both Space Youth Services and Young Devon have a long history of supporting young people in Devon; providing specialist services to thousands of young people each year. Both organisations understand the life changing benefits that are inherent in accessing groups, clubs and activities. As a partnership, the team are keen to ensure as many young people have access to this new support as possible.
The Community Connector programme is seen as a provision that will complement other services and approaches across Exeter; helping young people grow in confidence and become more skilled to find their own way in future. If you are interested to know more, please contact Jamie Keyse at Exeter YES on 01392 331666.
