Connect Well Hull is a social prescribing service, supporting people aged 16 and over with access to advice, support and information. In a city with high levels of deprivation, our team of Wellbeing Coordinators and Welfare Advisers worked extremely hard to ensure those most at risk during the COVID crisis were supported and able to access the service through telephone support. The team, working in partnership with a range of voluntary and community sector groups, were integral in developing an up-to-date directory of available services in Hull during the lockdown, and indeed coming out of lockdown. This directory was utilised by our teams and the city as a whole, enabling our partners to access projects, services and activities. In a time when many services were forced to limit their service offer, Connect Well Hull were able to support residents and ensure partnership working continued. Staff linked people to emergency support services, mental health support, food parcels and befriending. The Wellbeing Coordinators, who link people to community groups, worked creatively due to limited service availability. This led to innovative ways of working and an increased level of one-to-one support given to clients to ensure safety and connection at a time when we were all advised to isolate. Connect Well Hull is commissioned by NHS Hull CCG and Hull City Council and delivered by Citizens Advice Hull and East Riding in partnership with Forum.
