Community Link Worker
Our one-to-one support is confidential, regular and in a way which works best for you
Through social prescribing, we’re focusing to improve health outcomes for people experiencing stressors in their lives due to social problems, which could lead to poor mental health.
The Community Link Worker service collaborates with 62 selected GP surgeries across Highland – supporting adults over the age of 18 from Caithness to Lochaber and over to Nairn. We also work with surgeries in West Sutherland, Badenoch and Strathspey, Skye and Lochalsh, and the Small Isles.
Referrals are received from the GP to our Community Link Workers when there might be a concern caused by social factors, rather than a medical problem.
We’re entirely person-centred in our approach. Community Link Workers want to get to know you: we will get to know your interests, your likes and dislikes and build a relationship, social prescribing you to the service we think will best suit your needs. Our aim is to help people overcome barriers and we shape our support around you.
Once the referral has been made, our Community Link Workers will discuss your needs and work closely with you. You will be offered up to eight sessions with a member of our team, who will come up with a plan of action to help you feel a sense of achievement and make you feel more confidence to reach your goals.
We discuss progress after each meeting. Final sessions with people accessing the service focus on the review of goals, outcomes and priorities. We can socially prescribe to relevant services, such as walking groups and exercise classes or skills development.
We work with people who face multiple and complex challenges: mental health, social isolation, loneliness, poor housing conditions, unhealthy relationships, poor physical health, language barriers, discrimination, and more.
impact
From May 2022 to May 2024, there have been:
- 2663 referrals
- 9471 appointments
- 4929 social prescriptions.
A large percentage of referrals come from people experiencing mental health and wellbeing challenges, stress management, and loneliness and social isolation.
“I feel really encouraged and positive about steering my family in a better direction for the first time in a very long time! You really made me feel listened to and understood, and I don’t remember the last time I felt that. I went home buzzing with enthusiasm and good energy!”
Steve
our team
Rosita
Novak
Locality Manager
Noah
Ramanan
Project Manager
Beth
Mackintosh
Administrator
for Community Link Worker
Ashley
O’Connell
Community Link Worker
Culloden, Fairfield, Kingsmills
Maree
Chisolm
Community Link Worker
Burnfield, Crown, Kinmylies
Charlotte
Noble
Community Link Worker
Cairn
Tanya
Pokorniecki
Community Link Worker
Riverside, Dunedin
Carol
Roberts
Senior Community Link Worker
Aird, Croyard Road
Michelle
Amran
Community Link Worker
Aviemore, Kingussie, Laggan & Grantown on Spey
Laura
Kermath
Community Link Worker
Dingwall & Strathpeffer
Kira
Brown
Community Link Worker
Munlochy, Fortrose and Cromarty
Lucy
Tedham
Senior Community Link Worker
Alness and Invergordon
Fiona
Powney
Community Link Worker
Tain & Fearn
Michelle
Forsyth
Community Link Worker
Alness and Invergordon
Sarah
Howe
Community Link Worker
Thurso and Halkirk, Three Harbours
Renata
Pedrossian-Smith
Community Link Worker
Pearson, Three Harbours
Carrie
Bennett
Community Link Worker
Canisbay, Dunbeath, Three Harbours
Esther
Bailey
Community Link Worker
Cill Chuimein, Foyers
Rachel
Tonks
Community Link Worker
Craig Nevis, Glen Mor, Tweeddale
Claire
Wortley
Community Link Worker
Mallaig & Arisaig
Suzanne
Christian
Senior Community Link Worker
Brora & Helmsdale, Golspie, Tain & Fearn
Monika
Puodziunaite
Community Link Worker
Dornoch
Rachel
Faulkner-Brown
Community Link Worker
Lairg
Anne
MacKay
Community Link Worker
South Skye
Dafne
Lopez Mora
Community Link Worker
Carbost, Dunvegan, Portree
Natalie
Weir
Senior Community Link Worker
Aultbea & Gairloch, Lochcarron
Elaine
Cameron
Senior Community Link Worker
Remote & Rural
Amanda
Hicks
Community Link Worker
Remote and Rural
Lucy
Phimister
Senior Remote GP Worker
Remote & Rural
Jennifer
Murray
Senior Remote GP Worker
Remote & Rural
contact
Contact our Community Link Worker team to learn more about our Highland service.
Our National Advice and Support Service can help you and people you care for with mental health concerns and money worries.
We can link and signpost you to relevant local and national support, including our own Change Mental Health services, as well supporting with debt, grants and benefits.
The service is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm (closed for lunch between 12.30pm to 1.30pm). Contact 0808 8010 515, email advice@changemh.org or fill in the form on the service webpage.
For full details about the service, visit the National Advice and Support Service webpage.
