19 March 2025
HSPN Networking and Showcase Celebration Event 2025
On Wednesday 12 March 2025 c180 people attended the Hants & IoW Social Prescribing Network’s (HSPN) Networking and Showcase Celebration Event held at the Vineyard Church, Winchester.
View the full presentation here
After new and existing HSPN members were welcomed, Tim Houghton, Chief Executive, Community First started by reflecting on how the Network has developed over the past few years – to a current membership of over 500! He described how social prescribing could be made more accessible, by encouraging more organisations and colleagues/volunteers who help people improve their health and wellbeing more holistically, to get involved. Tim Highlighted Carnegie UK’s ‘Life in the UK Wellbeing Index’ and its stark findings. Tim cited how crucial the collaboration amongst HSPN’s partnerships is, in putting people first – whilst adopting a consistent, strengths-based approach.
Tim shared that Devolution will bring with it new opportunities for communities to be at the heart of local service development and their own wellbeing, alongside any short-term uncertainties. He highlighted the recent HSPN survey – explaining about the partnership between the VCSE who often enable social prescribed activities that deliver improved health & wellbeing outcomes and the crucial role that Social Prescribers/Health Coaches et al play in linking patients with the local services offer. Tim concluded by summarising the key outcomes from the recent HSPN member survey, the value placed upon networking, sharing information and promoting services. HSPN member priorities included: transport & social isolation, developing clearer referral pathways, hospital discharge processes, access to employment support, funding options, VCSE awareness raising, physical activity… 
Monica Boulton, Health Integration Lead, National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) was the Keynote Speaker. Monica began by explaining what NASP is and does, highlighting what has been achieved re social prescribing in England and the positive impact on health service use and costs. Referring to NHS England Neighbourhood Health Guidance, Monica explored what more could be achieved using a whole system approach to social prescribing. She referred to social prescribing around the world, and national, regional, and local pathways. Monica concluded by explaining about the National Social Prescribing Fund, opportunities to get involved and how to become a social prescribing champion!
Monica appreciated the opportunity of the day: “It was a privilege to be part of such a successful celebration event and have the opportunity to engage with those who are making social prescribing a reality on the ground. I left feeling enthused about the strength of community that has come from this network and it was a joy to hear a little more about the success and innovations that this has led to, which is clearly making a difference to both individuals and communities”.
Next Chris Cunnane, Service Lead, Inclusion No Wrong Door Service, NHS Inclusion Recovery Hampshire, explained what No Wrong Door is and how it has received 2207 referrals to date. In the past year the service has undertaken 543 Joint Assessments. Since the service began, 618 external staff have attended training and 306 patients were referred on to Adult Mental Health services. Chris concluded by explaining that he is happy to attend team meetings – to explain more about the service.
The presentations concluded with Jane Majidzadeh, Wellbeing Team Manager, Meon Health Practice introducing their social prescribing service, describing how they embed physical activity conversations, how some of the team have become Walk Leaders, thanks to the free training from Community First in Fareham. Also, how they have developed new wellbeing services and outreach, by working in partnership with local venues – at no or low cost. This was demonstrated by playing a moving short video of the local social prescribing activities – which are coordinated by Meon Health Practice and the significant difference these activities are making to the lives of those patients who engage with them. (The insightful video was produced by Media Undergraduates at the University of Southampton.)
Jane loved the event: “It’s brilliant to part of today’s networking event, it’s great to meet up with other social prescribers and the other local organisations, I’ve learnt a lot from today’s event that I can take away with me”
After the Networking Break, attendees participated in two out of a choice of six c25 minute interactive Workshops
INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP SESSION ONE
Workshop 1 – The Continuing Cost of Living Crisis
Biddy Mayo, Chief Officer, Citizens Advice Fareham
This workshop aims to cover who Citizens Advice are and how we can help with the cost-of-living crisis. Also, some of the ways that people can help themselves, and when Citizens Advice may be needed.
Workshop 2 – Empowering Movement in Health and Social Care: A Workshop for Social Prescribers and Community Organisations
Emily Khural, Health Manager, Energise Me
Aimee Cadman, Health Officer, Energise Me
Join us for an engaging workshop designed to enhance the understanding of the importance of physical activity in health and social care. This event is tailored for social prescribers and community organisations, celebrating the outstanding work already being done and exploring new ways to promote movement and well-being in our communities. Let’s come together to inspire and support healthier, more active lifestyles for all!
Workshop 3 – Dementia: what it is and how you can help
Paul Fray, Managing Director, Home Instead (Fareham & Gosport)
Andrea Shelton, Training & Development Manager, Home Instead
Lesley Barton Director, Recapture Life
We will use a combination or PowerPoint, our YouTube Videos and reference recommendations to conduct the workshop. We may also invite audience participations depend upon numbers attending. We will cover some background on Dementia, its various forms and causes and how prevalent it is. We will also focus on how to help and interact with people with Dementia . We will reference organisations and publications that can help, including video support.
INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP SESSION TWO
Workshop 4 – Collaborating and Connecting with Communities
Shipa Ahmed Kahn, Health Inequalities Lead, IoW NHS Trust, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Jo Atkinson, Community Champion Programme Manager, Portsmouth City Council
Hear about the benefits of collaboration and the positive impact on staff and communities; what has worked well what could be done differently.
Come ready to share experiences of “What would help members of your a) community/neighbourhood and b) staff in the workplace to feel more connected.
Workshop 5 – Funding Community Based Socially Prescribed Activities
Jacqui Scott, Chief Executive Officer, Hampshire & IoW Community Fund Andrew Chapman, Funding Officer, National Lottery Community Fund
Many charitable funders don’t state they are seeking bids for “socially prescribed” activities, but do fund them in practice. This session will be delivered by two significant regional funders – Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) and the National Lottery Community Fund. Hear about the National Lottery Community Fund’s new priorities and how to apply for funding for activities you are delivering. HIWCF will provide an outline of the range of funds they will have available throughout 2025. This session will help you better understand what funders are looking for and much of the learning from this session will be applicable to a wide range of funders.
Workshop 6 – Social Prescribers’ and Health Coaches’ – Sharing Best Practice and Learning Forum
Angela Gill, Hants & IoW Social Prescribing Network Programme & Facilitator, Community First
Jane Majidzadeh, Wellbeing Team Manager, Meon Health Practice
If you are a Social Prescriber or Health Coach and would like to engage with others countywide – then this is the workshop for you! We will aim to produce a Social Prescribing SWOT between us – to identify what currently works well and what learning there is e.g. re overcoming any key obstacles… Please bring your patient feedback forms, if you have already implemented these, then do share about this. Perhaps, it will be an opportunity to learn from others and develop your own patient feedback form – so hopefully you can all review and briefly discuss these. Finally, we aim to identify any key training needs you may have – that fall outside of the training provided by your PCN, to see how you can be supported with this going forward.
Upon returning to the Main Hall, attendees were given the opportunity for a period of ‘Geographical Networking’ for areas that were divided into parts of Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight.
Finally the well received Celebration Event, concluded by all who had planned and supported it (including the venue) being thanked for their respective contributions. The Webinar dates for 2025 were shared, before attendees were invited to view the c40 organisations represented on an array of Market Stalls and enjoy their Networking Lunch. (The catering was once again, provided by Hampshire-based company Court House Catering.)
Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate National Social Prescribing Day just a little bit early! We love running these events and we’re always pleased to hear directly how much you appreciate attending them! See below some of the feedback:
Sarah from the MS Society – “Today I came here because we have a lot of groups that represent the MS Society all over Hampshire so it was a really nice opportunity to let people know that those groups are there and available and to link with all the social prescribers across Hampshire”
John from Access Care – “Wonderful opportunity, the speakers were fantastic, very informative, I’ve learned a lot and my favorite aspect of the day was simply meeting with people from such diverse resources and organisations all coming together to help the people of Hampshire”
Lewis from Hampshire Libraries, the Home Library Service – “The main thing I got out of today was the networking opportunities, I cover quite a vast area so it was nice to be able to talk to organisations in all of my areas. I spoke to a lot of people who didn’t know about our service before so that was good to be able to raise awareness and I’ve made some really good connections as well.”
Helen from the Final Straw Foundation – “It’s been great today, we’ve networked with a lot of other charities that are here and social prescribers, our main focus is to get people out onto the beach as part of blue social prescribing, being physically active, on the beach. It’s been a really useful day and its great to see so many people from around the county that are all so interesting in the same aspects.”
Arzia from Phoenix Rising – Still I Rise – “Its been lovely, its been great to meet so many amazing people in one place to be able to network to be able to share the different experiences we’ve had and the work we do and the people we help and support.”
Hayley from Romsey and North Baddesley PCN – “This is my first time coming to this kind of event, I’m really pleased that we have one, I particularly enjoyed being able to come here and see the size of the network and the workshops that were offered. I think it offered an opportunity us to look at things that are relevant to our role. The one related to funding for example was good as that is an issue in our community so we can see if we can help groups find funding for activites that they would like to have.”
The next Hants & IoW Social Prescribing Network Webinar will be on Wednesday 11 June 2025, 1-2pm. Please contact Jane Bray – healthforums@cfirst.org.uk to register if you are not an HSPN member and would like to attend &/or to be kept up-to-date.
Find out more about the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Social Prescribing Network