Ways to Wellness UK

14/08/2026

"The social prescribers are really looking at the person's whole life and supporting them in lots of different areas, not just one.

One of the major things about this project was that people had time to sit with these patients. If a patient has chronic pain, they often feel like they're being a burden to everybody; they think, 'Nobody's listening to me, nobody cares, nobody really believes that I'm in pain.'

The fact that we could fund this project and give the healthcare professionals and the social prescribers time to sit with these people and actually listen to them — the patients really felt validated and accepted, and they felt like the healthcare professionals understood them better.”

Angela Telford, Waiting Well NICP Operational Lead, speaks to Ways to Wellness about collaborating on the TAPER2 project, aimed at helping people reduce painkillers ahead of surgery, which we supported as part of our PROSPeR with Waiting Well (Perioperative Social Prescribing) project.

Read more about PROSPeR ➡️ https://www.waystowellness.org.uk/prosper

12/08/2026

Last chance to sign up for two of our in-person 'Telling the story of your impact using data' training sessions next week.

We have a few places left in Carlisle and Durham.

Sign up for Carlisle on 19 August ➡️ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1993654801178
Sign up for Durham on 21 August ➡️ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1993659210366

10/08/2026

Six months ago, our 'Living Well with Pain' group at Cruddas Park Surgery became fully patient-led. We're pleased to say it's still going strong.

Due to our test and learn approach, our support is often time-limited, so building sustainability into projects is never far from our thinking. It's wonderful to see this group continuing to be a place of real support long after we stepped back.

Learn more about how we drew on a Team-Based Learning approach to set the group up ➡️ https://www.waystowellness.org.uk/newsblogs/testing-an-idea-learning-together-and-leaving-something-behind

07/08/2026

Civil society will be ‘central’ to Andy Burnham’s devolution plans, according to the new Prime Minister.

This reflects a truth we've been demonstrating for more than 11 years: organisations close to communities aren't just delivery partners, they're strategic assets.

Their insight, relationships and evidence should shape how devolved systems are designed.

If devolution is to succeed, especially for regions such as the North East, whose levels of healthy life expectancy are lowest, civil society should not be consulted after priorities have been set.

It should help determine those priorities from the very start.

Read more from our CEO Sandra Mitchell-Phillips ⬇️ https://www.waystowellness.org.uk/newsblogs/we-agree-civil-society-at-heart-of-devolution

Hear from our CEO Sandra Mitchell-Phillips about our take on the Downing Street Partnerships Unit devolution update issued to civil society and charity leaders this week. “We are fortunate that Newcastle upon Tyne has been taking steps towards reducing health inequity by becoming a Marmot city, m

05/08/2026

💬 “As far as possible, we try to create an atmosphere that lets everyone be themselves at work, and we understand not every day is the same when it comes to chronic health matters.” - A case study from our employer’s toolkit from a creative agency in the North East

To hear more about how this organisation has embedded health and throughout their workplace, visit our employers’ toolkit for people with chronic health conditions and pain ➡️ waystowellness.org.uk/employers-toolkit

This was created as part of our involvement in The North East Combined Authority's Economic Inactivity Trailblazer, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions - DWP, through which our personalised test-and-learn approach was adapted for people who felt unable to work due to pain or their health, often for many years.

03/08/2026

Join us for free training on telling the story of your social prescribing impact through data, in Middlesbrough!

If you're working as a link worker or in an associated role, it can be hard to know exactly what data to collect to show the true impact of your work.

This all-day, free training will equip you with practical tools to collect evidence and turn your data into something meaningful.

📅 Tuesday, 8 September - 9.30am to 4pm
📍 Acklam Green Centre, Middlesbrough

Sign up ➡️ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/telling-the-story-of-your-impact-using-data-middlesbrough-tickets-1994003845178?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

This training is designed for social prescribing link workers, team leaders, heads of service, and professionals working alongside social prescribers.

We have additional sessions in Durham and Carlisle.

30/07/2026

Today is the International Day of Friendship! 🤝

Loneliness and social isolation can have wide-reaching impacts on health. Often in healthcare, clinical treatment alone isn't the answer.

At Ways to Wellness, long-term relational work has always been at the heart of our approach.

We see every day how skilled link workers help people reconnect people with their communities, helping them feel able to fully participate in life and work.

The relationship is the intervention.

Read more in our blog ⬇️
https://www.waystowellness.org.uk/newsblogs/the-relationship-is-the-intervention-data-proves-worth

As policymakers and system leaders increasingly focus on the relationship between health and economic inactivity, the importance of evidence in shaping future approaches continues to grow. At Ways to Wellness , we are reflecting on what this means for social prescribing, and why building confiden

30/07/2026

Are you a social prescriber based in Carlisle?

Do you struggle to show your impact? Maybe you have data sets but have no idea how to use them or don't know where to start with collecting evidence to back up your work.

Our in-person training will arm you with the tools to turn your stats into stories that inspire!

The training is free, and lunch will be provided.

📅 Wednesday, 19 August - 9.30am to 4pm
📍The People First Conference Centre, Carlisle

This training is designed for social prescribing link workers, team leaders, heads of service, and professionals working alongside social prescribers.

We have additional sessions in Durham and Middlesbrough.

Sign up ➡️ https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/telling-the-story-of-your-impact-using-data-carlisle-tickets-1993654801178?aff=oddtdtcreator

29/07/2026

People with a chronic condition don't always see themselves as 'sick' or 'disabled'. Symptoms fluctuate, so what they can manage can change daily.

Our toolkit helps employers understand and supports staff in managing their symptoms ➡️ waystowellness.org.uk/employers-toolkit

This was created as part of our involvement in The North East Combined Authority Economic Inactivity Trailblazer, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions - DWP, through which our personalised test-and-learn approach was adapted for people who felt unable to work due to pain or their health, often for many years.

27/07/2026

Are you a social prescriber based in Durham?

We are holding in-person training to help you unlock the power of your social prescribing data.

This hands-on training will give you practical tools to tell your story and impact.

📅 21 August
🏢 The Durham Centre

This training is designed for social prescribing link workers, team leaders, heads of service, and professionals working alongside social prescribers.

We have additional sessions in Carlisle and Middlesbrough.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/telling-the-story-of-your-impact-using-data-tickets-1993659210366?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us in person to learn how to share your social prescribing stories using data in a clear, powerful way!