Family Action
Categories
Information and Signposting, Social and therapeutic services, Family advice
Description
The Wandsworth Well Family Service is an early intervention, mental health and well-being service based in a number of GP practices across the London borough of Wandsworth. The service is a frontline source of help for adults with mental ill-health who present to GPs with a wide range of additional and often complex, non-medical support needs or social problems. This may include problems with housing, finances, and employment or family relationships.
The service is currently based in six GP practices in Wandsworth, and builds on the successful approach taken in the London Borough of Hackney. An evaluation of that service previously undertaken showed reductions in GP attendances by up to 75%.1, the service aims to overcome stigma and discrimination regarding mental health issues, through a holistic recovery approach, and by providing information at the point of referral and support for people to lead an active life in their community.
The service works alongside more specialist mental health services locally where relevant, including community mental health teams and psychological therapies (IAPT), and support workers refer to these and other agencies as required. This may include employment support, peer networks, volunteering, community groups and other statutory services.
Important note: we are a GP based service and it is always helpful to have details of the service user's GP at the point of referral. Registration with a Wandsworth GP is a requirement for referrals into the WellFamily 6 session model.