20 June 2025
Hants & Isle of Wight Social Prescribing Network Webinar – June 2025
View and download the full presentation of slides here
This webinar brought together 66 attendees, including stakeholders from across the health, employment, and voluntary sectors, to explore how social prescribing and key agencies can support individuals—particularly those with disabilities or long-term health conditions—into meaningful employment. The session emphasised collaboration, innovation, and the integration of employment support into health and community services.
Key Presenters and Their Contributions
- Angela Gill (Facilitator, Hants & IoW Social Prescribing Network, Community First)
Opened the session with a welcome and overview of the programme, setting the stage for a collaborative and forward-looking discussion.
- Tim Houghton (Chief Executive, Community First)
Highlighted the importance of partnerships between the voluntary sector and health services, especially in the context of devolution and local government reorganization. He emphasized the role of social prescribing in early intervention and employment support. Tim concluded by reviewing the successful HSPN Celebration Event on 12 March 2025.
- Alison Dyer (Disability Employment Adviser Leader, DWP)
Provided an in-depth overview of the DEA role within Jobcentre Plus, including:
- Peer coaching and direct support for individuals with disabilities
- Tools like the Health Adjustment Passport and Access to Work
- The importance of tailored support through Universal Credit and fit notes
- Outreach and collaboration with health professionals and community services
- Sue Mulcahy (Health and Employment Lead, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight)
Discussed employment as a therapeutic pathway, linking it to the Care Act 2014 and public health outcomes. She presented data on employment gaps and health inequalities, and introduced NHS-integrated employment support initiatives like:
- Connect to Work
- WorkWell
- The role of employment in reducing health disparities
- Rob Nash (Skills Commissioning Manager, Hampshire County Council)
Gave a detailed overview of the Connect to Work programme, a key part of the Government’s “Get Britain Working” strategy. He outlined:
- Programme goals and eligibility
- Delivery models based on Supported Employment and IPS frameworks
- Hampshire’s proposed approach, including commissioning and participant targets
Closing Notes
The webinar included short Q&A sessions and announcements of upcoming events in the 2025–26 webinar series. Attendees were encouraged to continue the conversation and access resources via the Community First website.
The next Voluntary Sector Health & Wellbeing Webinar ‘Who Cares for the Carers?’ will be 1-2pm on Wednesday 9 July.
Any relevant organisational representative who is not currently a HSPN member and would like to be kept up-to-date, can register by contacting Community First’s Jane Bray – healthforums@cfirst.org.uk .