“It’s not something that you just openly discuss” - Supporting British South Asian carers affected by drug and alcohol use

Posted by Jayne Black, Public Health Officer, Harm Reduction and Social Inclusion, Public Health Directorate, Newcastle City Council

Access to services, such as those related to drugs and alcohol and other health services, can be challenging. This challenge may be harder for some minority communities due to a variety of additional factors which impact people from accessing support when required. It is important that we identify these issues and barriers that prevent people in need from accessing help.

PROPS Community Connector, Fatema Rahman (C) with colleagues Annette
  Walby (L) and Helen Thompson (R), celebrating Eid at Fenham Library

In Newcastle, an ethnic minority needs assessment has been carried out and is available on our Joint Strategic Needs Assessment webpage.

We have also partnered with Northumbria University to explore barriers and perceptions to accessing drug and alcohol support.

An important area of focus is how family members are affected by a loved one’s substance use. In Newcastle, a recent research project backed by Fuse seedcorn funding investigated the perspective of British South Asian carers, who care for people who use drugs and/or alcohol, regarding their experiences and access to specialist drug and alcohol carer services in Newcastle.

The collaboration which included, co-production with people with lived experience, was between Newcastle City Council, PROPS (Specialist Family Drugs and Alcohol Service), Northumbria and Newcastle Universities.

What do we know are some of the barriers?

Attitudinal (personal)

The limited research suggests that attitudinal barriers within minority groups exist in relation to accessing care services. These are suggested to be in relation to not wanting to involve services. This is due to low awareness of services and availability, and concerns around cultural or religious appropriateness.

Stigma

Stigma is harmful and has been defined as the devaluing of an individual based on their characteristics or behaviour.

We know that stigma in general can have an impact on whether an individual seeks support for alcohol or drug issues, or other health issues.

Within the British South Asian and Muslim community, it has been identified that societal stigma, within the community, can impact upon people’s willingness to access help. This stigma may be centred around concerns of what other members of the community perceive about a particular individual or family and their use of alcohol or drugs.

Carers

The research evidence within this area rarely extends to those who are in a caring role for family or friends who are struggling with issues around alcohol or drugs. This could be an important area of focus, as support from a family member or friend is incredibly important. Whether day-to-day or during recovery, supporting carers is vital. However, it is worth noting that some people may not identify or recognise themselves as a carer and therefore, are unaware of support.

The Census of England and Wales in 2021 identified that North East England has the highest number of people providing unpaid care. It also suggests that unpaid carers in the North East provide the most hours of care.

Providing care may impact the health and wellbeing of a carer, this could include financial as well as if someone is a kinship carer. Therefore, it is important to identify if there are barriers to accessing carer support services for people who care for family members or friends using drugs and or alcohol.

What did we discover?

Our research results identified a variety of key areas. These areas related to the topic of drugs and alcohol in terms of it being ‘taboo’, with associated stigma, the barriers that are experienced for accessing family support, along with the general awareness of family support services.

Drug and alcohol use as a taboo topic

Carers highlighted the difficulty of discussing their loved one’s use of drugs and alcohol with other people who are close to them. The topic itself can be seen as something which creates unease. This creates a possible negative effect as talking with others may help create a supportive network and help carers feel supported and provided with guidance.

“the drug use; it’s not something that you just openly discuss. It’s like [frowned] upon. You know, people, I think, blame the parents, “well why aren’t you doing something?” […] Unless somebody can help you, you know, guide you, there’s no point having these discussions with people […] I mean, I’ve spoke to their grandma about it and stuff. Like, people who genuinely care.” 

                                                                             Participant

In contrast, others mentioned conversations about drugs and alcohol being more prevalent in the community, requiring more awareness for community members.

Barriers to accessing family support

The issue of stigma is evident from the discussion, with drug and or alcohol use being seen as an individual issue of choice, which not only impacts the individual, but affects the reputation of the family. It is seen as different to mental health issues, as something that people are unable to physically observe or have an understanding of.

“I don’t even talk about his mental health condition, ‘cos it’s a stigma. People like, laugh at it and things and say, ‘look, he’s barking; he’s crazy’. It’s this whole attitude that he’s crazy. You know, there’s no sympathy. […] it’s better and easier to get cancer than it is to [have anything] like that, because no one’s going to be understanding. […] People don’t understand, they think they’re putting it on half the time. They’re not understanding the side effects that it has.” 

                                                                            Participant 

There is recognition that seeing or being aware of someone in a community accessing help for drugs and alcohol, or in recovery, can help shift perceptions and show that support is accessible to other members of the community.

Misconceptions around confidentiality and issues of trust can be seen within those working with services or accessing a service. Carers need to be reassured that services are bound by confidentiality. In terms of confidentiality within the community, raising awareness about available support can play a major role in reducing stigma associated with engagement and seeking support.

There is hope in the organisations that provide family support services, and allowing a carer to progress on their support journey at their own pace is important.

“I got involved with them and *the family support service* were really good, because at that time, I didn’t want anyone to know, ‘cos I didn’t know what was happening and they offered me so many different solutions and like, I don’t have to see them straight away […] Cos some people don’t want to talk about… You know what I mean? So at that time, I didn’t want to see who I am in this. I just wanted to understand what’s happening.” 

                                                                             Participant

Awareness of family support services

It was identified that there is limited knowledge of services that provide support for drug and alcohol recovery. This may create difficulty, as the role of the carer can be a ‘navigator’. Therefore, limited knowledge may add an additional pressure to the carer, which was an issue raised during the interviews.

Services reaching into communities, rather than people who require support finding their own their way, is highlighted as being a positive - which can be used to make recommendations for a future response.

Using an approach which makes the most of existing support already within communities and working at a pace that suits the carer. Also, harnessing the power and visible importance of communities can create a support network, ensuring assistance is sustainable and effective.

“Over the phone, it was fine. Then eventually, they came to my house. Eventually met in cafes, then started a course with them.”

“[They] are very good with giving me a variety of choices that suited me when I needed, so whatever suits you, with patients and carers, however it suits them. However it suits every individual is different, so they met my needs.”     

                                                                             Participant

Recommendations

We must connect with those who have relationships with members of a community to enhance trust and help support people who need it. Recommendations from the research included outreach into the community for connections with leaders. This must include vital considerations around caring and family support.

Encouraging visibility of services and people in recovery or who have lived experience within the community is also important to help not only the carers, but those who are struggling with the use of alcohol and drugs.

Developing work in Newcastle

Work in Newcastle is being developed within this area. Public Health have been engaging with British South Asian community leaders to enhance treatment and recovery efforts including carers. Two key meetings were held with stakeholders such as the Bangladeshi Association, local Imams, and university researchers. These meetings facilitated open dialogue on barriers to treatment, cultural sensitivities, and support systems, building trust and shared goals.

Engagement with the Health and Race Equality Forum (HAREF) emphasised the initiative's importance, with leaders showing enthusiasm for ongoing collaboration. A rough plan is being developed from these discussions, with next steps involving continued dialogue and refining the action plan to meet community needs. This approach highlights the value of community-led, culturally informed initiatives in promoting health equity.

Newcastle is also working with PROPS to fund a part time South Asian Muslim worker who will serve as a community connector to bridge the gap between community and support services. This is building on their existing effective practice in this space. The community connector worker will provide tailored support to facilitate access to support, ensuring carers, and families get the help they need in a culturally sensitive manner.

Personal reflection

The research highlights the importance of the voice from carers and communities, and those with lived experience. The importance of understanding the issues from those with lived experience who are supporting someone and working through any daily challenges. We must ensure that valuable information that we discover from research, such as this, is used to act and ensure that everyone has an opportunity to be supported and live well.

This isn’t just about food. It’s about fairness, dignity, and giving communities the tools they need to support themselves

Why Community Food Organisations deserve a place in the Child of the North APPG report

Posted by Andrea Burrows, Dr Claire O’Malley, Dr Helen Moore and Professor Amelia Lake, Fuse researchers from Teesside University

Andrea Burrows, Helen Moore with other contributors at the launch of the report in parliament

Across the North of England, families are facing a dual crisis: rising food insecurity and growing food waste. In response, Community Food Organisations (CFOs) - like social supermarkets and pantries - are stepping up in powerful, community led ways. These aren’t just places to get food. They’re places of dignity, connection, and hope.

But despite their growing role, CFOs are still flying under the radar. They’re under-researched, inconsistently defined, and often left out of the bigger policy picture. That’s why they were included in the Child of the North APPG report.

What is the Child of the North APPG?

The Child of the North All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) is a cross-party group of MPs, peers, researchers, and practitioners working together to tackle the deep-rooted inequalities affecting children in the North of England. From poverty and poor health to educational disadvantage, the APPG is committed to finding evidence-based solutions that give every child a fair start in life.

Backed by research from the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA), Health Equity North and the N8 Research Partnership, the APPG has already produced influential reports on the cost of living, education, and health. Now, it’s time to shine a light on food, and the role CFOs can play in transforming communities and the lives of children.

A different kind of food support

Unlike traditional food banks, CFOs operate more like supermarkets, offering surplus food at low prices. Often delivered in a familiar, retail-style setting, this model not only reduces food waste but also gives people choice and dignity in how they access food. It’s a far cry from the stigma that can come with emergency food aid.

Research shows that this approach better meets the needs of people experiencing food insecurity. It empowers them, rather than making them feel like recipients of charity.

One model, many faces

CFOs are incredibly diverse. Some are membership-based and serve specific groups; others are open to all. Some offer wraparound support like job training or help with household income; others focus purely on food. This flexibility is a strength, it not only allows CFOs to adapt to local needs, but it also makes it hard to evaluate their impact or share what works best.

"Community Food Organisations... aren’t just places to get food. They're places of dignity, connection, and hope."

A recent review led by by colleague Claire O'Malley (currently under review) found that there’s no single definition of a social supermarket. And many operate informally, relying on local relationships and community goodwill to source food. This makes them agile, but also vulnerable.

Why now?

Since the pandemic, food insecurity has increased, especially in the North. But so too has the rise of CFOs. In the North East and North Cumbria, there are now 67 social supermarkets. In the North East town of Middlesbrough alone, the number of Eco Shops, the dominant social supermarket model, has jumped from nine in 2021 to 28 in 2025.

This growth shows just how much communities value these spaces. But it also raises urgent questions:

• How can we make these models sustainable?
• What support do they need to thrive?
• How do they fit into the bigger picture of public health and food policy?

Why the Child of the North report matters

Including CFOs in the report will:

• Raise national awareness of their role and potential.
• Create shared definitions and standards to help evaluate impact.
• Highlight best practices and support scaling of successful models.
• Ensure CFOs are recognised as part of the wider food and health system - not just a stopgap.

This isn’t just about food. It’s about fairness, dignity, and giving communities the tools they need to support themselves. CFOs are already making a difference. With the right recognition and support, they could transform community support with accessible, socially accessible methods of community aid.

About the authors:

Andrea Burrows is a Research Associate at Teesside University and a Fuse Associate member

Dr Claire O'Malley is a Research Associate at Teesside University and a Fuse Associate member

Helen Moore is an Associate Professor at Teesside University and a Fuse Associate member

Amelia Lake is Professor of Public Health Nutrition at Teesside University, Deputy Director of Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, a dietitian and public health nutritionist.

"We cannot afford to wait" - a call to prioritise support for people living with severe mental ill-health

Posted by Dan Steward, Research Assistant at Newcastle University, and the WHOLE-SMI Community Advisory Group and research team, for Mental Health Awareness Week

Fuse colleagues advocating the words of public contributors in mental health research

People living with severe mental ill-health (SMI) often face profound inequalities in both their physical and mental health - and the systems designed to support them are not always equipped to meet their complex needs. That is why we launched WHOLE-SMI (Wellbeing and HOListic health promotion for people with Severe Mental Illness), a programme of research led by Fuse researchers at Newcastle University, focused on understanding how services can better support the whole health of people living with SMI.

Our work set out to answer a vital question: How can we use the resources we already have to do more for those who need it most?

To find out, we engaged with a wide range of voices across the North of England: people with lived experience of SMI, those who commission services, GPs, and frontline staff. We wanted to understand what support is currently available, what the biggest challenges are in accessing it, and how services could be improved. This collaborative approach gave us deep insights into what is working and where real change is urgently needed.

At the heart of our project was a community advisory group made up of individuals with lived experience of SMI. This group worked alongside us from start to finish. They helped shape our questions, guide our focus, and ensure the findings reflected what really matters. Their input was not just advisory - it was transformational.

Together, we identified the most important messages from the research and created clear, compelling headlines to communicate them. We also co-wrote a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, urging the new government to take immediate action. With the recent announcement that NHS England will be abolished, we believe this moment is critical. There is a unique opportunity to rethink how health services work for people with severe mental ill-health, and we must not let it pass us by.

"We need you to be an advocate for those living with poor mental health and be compassionate and vocal in committing to service improvements." 

                                                          Quote from the letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

We share our open letter respectfully, but with urgency. Too often, people with SMI are overlooked or underserved. They deserve care that supports all aspects of their health: physical, mental, emotional, and social. We hope this work sparks meaningful dialogue and real change in how services are designed and delivered.

Please read more about the WHOLE-SMI programme and access our findings here.

If you would like to get in touch, please contact Professor Emily Oliver.

Because no one should have to wait for the support they deserve.

Read the full letter below

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Understanding the ‘zoppie buzz’ in Teesside

Posted by Hannah Poulter, Teesside University, Visiting Research Associate, University of Bristol

Hannah's post coincides with International Harm Reduction Day, which is observed each year on 7 May and is dedicated to harm reduction approach to drug addiction.

At the conclusion of our research into Heroin Assisted Treatment (HAT) in the North East of England, so many questions remained for me, one of which was: What’s with the zoppie (zopiclone) ‘buzz’ in Teesside?

Teesside gets quite a bad reputation when it comes to drug and alcohol use, which perhaps isn’t surprising when you consider in Middlesbrough you’re more likely to die from a drug related death than a car crash. What we don’t often hear about is the ongoing innovative and groundbreaking work to create solutions to complex problems such as those spanning multiple public budgets - health, justice and social care.

Through our research on HAT we got an insight into the havoc caused by street tablets (such as zopiclone) in Middlesbrough, a story also found in other places within Teesside and further afield. Street tablets are defined as illicitly manufactured prescription-like tablets (that look similar to prescription medication in packaging) bought from illicit sources (street dealers) and used without medical advice.

The prevalence and availability of street tablets here, such as zopiclone, combined with their adverse health consequences and impact on treatment engagement makes a rather toxic combination of risk factors for people who are already vulnerable. I feel empathy for both the marginalised people struggling with their addiction to street tablets (amongst other substances), who felt that there was no feasible offer of treatment for them and the healthcare practitioners tasked to support them, with little advice to draw upon beyond ‘don’t take them’.

While we found there were pockets of great work being undertaken, we also saw that the work wasn’t particularly joined up and that there were lots of gaps in knowledge:

• What was the appeal of zopiclone in Teesside, a seemingly unique feature of the local drug market here?
• What do people who use street tablets think could be done to help improve treatment?
• How could we increase knowledge, collaboration and capacity between local practitioners, academics, people with lived experience and the police to address this public health issue together?

As an Early Career Researcher with a ‘non-standard’ research career (I had a career in business development, research and policy in the housing sector prior to re-entering higher education), I was both confident and daunted by the prospect of leading a project in this area.

Confident because I was sure I could achieve this as I had led on, and been part of many projects focused on collaboration, capacity development and research in the past. Daunted because this was one of the first projects I had led in my own research area as an academic, and I wanted to prove that I was able to do so alongside delivering academic outputs and impact.

I feel proud and relieved now this project is over and am incredibly delighted that we delivered extra value for the funders alongside some solid impactful work in this important area. Here’s a summary of our work:

Engaging people who are often less well represented in research and involving them in the process and co-production of solutions to addressing street tablet use.

One workstream of this project used Community Based Participatory Research with a lived experience researcher, Peter DaSilva from Recovery Connections. With Peter’s knowledge of the local drug market, operating context, and behavioural factors we were able to engage some of the most marginalised people at risk of a drug related death into the research process.

I am so passionate about lived experience recovery organisations and their crucial work using lived experience to engage and retain people in treatment. We have a publication on this currently under review with the Harm Reduction Journal.

Understanding the harms associated with zopiclone use and unique features of the zopiclone market in Teesside.

Several smaller spin off projects have been developed as a result of this grant. We delivered two student projects which involved speaking to healthcare practitioners (HCPs) in Teesside about their perceptions of street tablet usage. I’m currently working with Dr Jenny Scott at the University of Bristol to combine our data with a larger multi-site project on HCP insights, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. To support the completion of my Stage 2 Doctorate in Health Psychology I’m conducting a rapid review of the existing evidence base on zopiclone. Another paper we have nearly completed is one analysing prescription rates to understand how changes to safe prescription of zopiclone may be associated with the illicit market. Through this portfolio of work we will have a much better understanding of the unique features of the zopiclone market in Teesside.

Developing ways to share information and access better technology within Teesside for real-time testing to help reduce harms and overdose risk for people who use drugs.

Key relationships and mechanisms of information sharing have been built, improved and solidified through this project. Dr Gillian Taylor (Teesside University) has been testing locally seized samples such as zopiclone and pregabalin to improve local knowledge sharing. Gillian and I have worked with Joanne Russell from Public Health South Tees supporting their establishment of the Local Drug Information System in Middlesbrough such as the standard operating procedure. Dr Taylor is now sharing testing information of locally seized samples to supplement local overdose alerts and has a formal relationship with Cleveland Police which she has developed as a result of engaging on this project.

Better knowledge exchange between academics, practitioners, and policy makers locally, regionally and nationally.

Local regional and national connections were key ingredients to this project and have led to knowledge exchange beyond the remits of this funding stream. The connection which has personally stood out for me, has been with the team at University of Bristol, led by Professor Graeme Henderson, Professor Matt Hickman and Dr Jo Kesten. Through engaging with them on this project, I was appointed as Senior Qualitative Researcher within the School of Clinical Epidemiology and Public Health at Bristol between September 2022 and March 2024 on their project: Opioid overdose deaths: Understanding the lethal interactions between benzodiazepines and opioids to develop new harm reduction strategies funded by the Medical Research Council. I have learned so much from working on this project, and from my colleagues, which I hope will lead to other projects in the future. We are currently writing up the outputs from our qualitative work, have presented our findings at the Society for the Study of Addiction conference in 2023 and our team presented our work at the European Conference on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies in Lisbon in October 2024.

Where next?

Now this project is over, (and following me being on maternity leave for a year), we are working on writing up the key outputs from our work. Our ultimate goal is to improve the offer of care for people who use drugs in Teesside and beyond.

What I’ve learned from this project is that we can only do work of this nature, with the right funding, and right support from senior members of Teesside University and local decision makers. Having the funding to support me to completely dedicate one day a week to capacity building enabled by the Targeting Health Needs grant from NIHR Clinical Research Network, gave me brain space from my busy role within the Evaluation and Impact Team, was transformational. It takes time to create good quality dedicated multidisciplinary and translational research, and often the intangible but important factors in this process such as ‘connection building’ can take the most time.

The Heroin Assisted Treatment (HAT) study was funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria (NENC)

Targeting Health Needs project funded by National Institute of Health and Care Research [NIHR] 2022/23 Clinical Research Network (ref: 17969707). 

Over the rainbow: research with an intersectional perspective

Posted by Dr Mark Adley, Research Associate, Newcastle University

• LGBTQ+ is an abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, with the "+" sign recognising the multiple permutations of sexual orientation and gender identity.

• Intersectionality looks at how social inequities such as racism, sexism, or classism can interact and shape people’s social experiences.

"Reaching Out", pencil and pen drawing and digital collage by artist Sarah Li (2024)

In this Question and Answer blog, Mark shares some of his reflections on intersectionality when working with marginalised groups, and the importance of taking extra steps to make sure that the quieter voices are also heard. LGBTQ+ people are not a single group, and sexism, racism, classism and other social inequities can create unexpected intersections.

What was the focus of your PhD research project?
My PhD examined marginalisation in health and social care services in North East England, specifically looking at multiply marginalised LGBTQ+ people – those who had faced additional experiences of, for example, homelessness, substance use, racism, or domestic abuse. Seventy-two people across the region took part in interviews – 33 with professionals and 39 with marginalised LGBTQ+ people.

How would you explain intersectionality to someone new to the concept?
The shortest explanation would be that 1+1 does not equal 2. Intersectionality examines how different aspects of our identities can interact – creating unique experiences of discrimination. For example, a Black woman's experience isn't simply the addition of being Black plus being a woman. She may experience racism differently than a Black man, and she may experience sexism differently than a White woman. Her experiences as a Black woman are a unique intersection of race and gender. As Zora Neale Hurston perfectly captured in 1928: ‘I feel most coloured when I am thrown against a sharp white background’.

What challenges did you face in participant recruitment?
One major challenge was ensuring diverse representation. I noticed early on that lesbians and bisexual women were underrepresented, so I paused recruitment to address this. This led to an unexpected complexity – navigating the cultural and political debates around gender identity, particularly around use of the word ‘woman’ – and how to distinguish between cisgender and transgender women without causing offence.

How did you handle the sensitive terminology around gender identity?

It required extensive consultation with five women who held different perspectives on this issue. We eventually reached what I'd call a diplomatic compromise on language – while no one was completely satisfied, no one was seriously offended either. This highlighted the importance of careful navigation in sensitive cultural debates.

Recruitment flyers for lesbian, bi, queer, and pansexual women (left) and LGBTQ+ people of colour (right)

What adjustments did you make to ensure racial diversity in your study?

By March 2023 I had interviewed nine LGBTQ+ people from non-White British backgrounds, but only six were from non-White ethnic groups. After reflecting on the specific experiences of discrimination and invisibility shared by LGBTQ+ people of colour, I paused recruitment again. Following consultation with queer people from ethnically minoritised groups we rebranded the study, including removing rainbow imagery in favour of a brown background, as the rainbow was perceived as ‘very White-presenting’.

What key lessons did you learn about conducting research with an intersectional perspective?
The research required a constant shift in my own focus as a researcher. First, looking inward through reflexivity – examining my own unchecked biases and assumptions and their impact on how the study was conducted. Second, looking outward to understand the broader systems of power that influenced people’s experiences of marginalisation. It's a complex balance that requires both zooming in and out, while avoiding what has been called the ‘fetishization of complexity’.

The study’s key findings and recommendations

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Findings from the study are available in several formats

PDFs can be downloaded from the project’s website, with videos on YouTube and an Open Access scoping review published in BMC Health Services Research. Mark is involved in ongoing work exploring the experiences of LGBTQ+ people of colour, and collaborations with local organisations in consideration of intersectionality across the North East and Cumbria. To contact Mark or receive project updates via the mailing list click here.
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This study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria (NENC) (NIHR200173). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.

How our ‘test & learn’ prototypes are strengthening Social Prescribing

Posted by Ang Broadbridge, Head of Implementation at Ways to Wellness, on #SocialPrescribingDay

Evaluation is often something that happens at the end of a project, but what if we built learning into the process from the very start?

At Newcastle-based charity Ways to Wellness, we believe that embedding a culture of learning from the outset helps social prescribing link workers share real-time insights, refine approaches, and ultimately improve support for the communities we serve.

One area where this model has been used is in maternal mental health

Co-designing for impact

A core part of our work is connecting with local communities to shape and refine prototypes that align with our mission:

• Improving health and wellbeing
• Tackling health inequalities
• Reducing demand on NHS services

To ensure our link workers could share learning, develop key messages, and highlight gaps in services, we adopted the Learning Communities model. As described in the Learning Communities Handbook, these are:

"A group of peers who come together in a safe space to reflect and share their judgements and uncertainties about their practice and to share ideas or experiences to collectively improve."

To embed this approach into recruitment and training, we:

• Included an expectation for link workers to actively engage in Learning Communities
• Encouraged participation in ‘test and learn’ approaches
• Provided ongoing support and facilitation to foster a sense of ownership and belonging.

This approach helped link workers collaborate across different host organisations, spanning locations across the North East and North Cumbria.

Extending learning into maternal mental health

One area where this model has been used is in maternal mental health. After eight months of Learning Community meetings, we expanded this approach through a series of external learning events. These events:

• Shared early insights from our maternal mental health prototypes
• Brought in new partners to co-develop next steps
• Strengthened cross-sector collaboration

A key learning was that while social prescribing is well known in GP practices, it was midwives and health visitors who played a crucial role in referring parents to our prototypes - roles that hadn’t previously collaborated with link workers.

By opening up new referral pathways, we helped develop best practices for integrating link workers into maternal healthcare settings.

Turning insights into action

Our Learning Communities aren’t just discussion spaces - they drive change. Link workers use them to:

• Identify barriers in accessing social prescribing
• Test new ways to connect people with support
• Share insights at external events and policy discussions

The impact has been tangible. For example, after testing different approaches, some link workers are now based in health appointment clinics - an innovation that has improved system-wide connectivity and access to services.

Why this approach matters

By embedding a culture of continuous learning, we are:

• Strengthening partnerships across health and care sectors
• Ensuring services are designed with communities, not just for them
• Maximising the impact of social prescribing

At Ways to Wellness, we believe that the voluntary sector, healthcare services, and community organisations must work together to tackle health inequalities.

That’s why we’re committed to testing, learning, and adapting - so that social prescribing continues to evolve, improve, and reach the people who need it most.

Find out more at: waystowellness.org.uk

Image credits: Ways to Wellness Limited company number: 08798423

Bringing dietetics into Public Health

Posted by Alex O'Connor-Sherlock, MSc Dietetic student, Teesside University.

Introduction by Steph Sloan, Senior Lecturer in Dietetics and Course Leader MSc Dietetics at Teesside University.

Practice-based learning (PBL) is a key part of dietetic training, with students required to complete 1,000 hours of hands-on experience in a practice setting. Traditionally, this has mostly taken place in NHS settings, with students working one-on-one with supervisors. However, as healthcare demands grow, diversifying placement opportunities is becoming increasingly important - not just to support student learning, but also to strengthen public health initiatives.

Suited and booted to present to a factory workforce

The Allied Health Professions (AHP) Strategy for England highlights the role of AHPs in disease prevention and health promotion, helping to reduce the burden on already stretched health and social care services. Diet-related diseases remain a major public health challenge, yet dietetic care is still largely focused on treatment rather than prevention. If the profession is to play a greater role in supporting population health, then equipping students with strong public health knowledge and skills is crucial.

To support this, Teesside University’s MSc Dietetics programme now includes public health placements alongside traditional NHS clinical placements. Here, Alex shares her experience of working in a Public Health practice-based learning setting. A must read in National Careers Week for anyone considering a future career as a dietitian!

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What I worked on

During my placement, I was involved in three projects focused on health improvement and disease prevention. My work involved meeting with stakeholders, conducting research, presenting findings, and engaging with the public. The projects covered a wide range of population groups, including expectant mothers, school-age children, local workforces, and food bank users.

1. Supporting parents with child nutrition

A key part of my placement involved reviewing the nutrition education available to parents of children aged six months to four years.

What I did:

• Conducted a literature and policy review
• Spoke to parents, NHS staff, and school representatives
• Attended a breastfeeding class to hear directly from parents
• Presented my findings to several teams, including the Director of Public Health

Why it matters:

The insights from this work will help shape future research and improve nutrition support for families in the local area.

2. Linking oral health and nutrition

There is a strong connection between what we eat and oral health, but not everyone has access to clear, easy-to-understand information about this link.

What I created:

• Infographics and presentations to educate local workforces
• Materials designed in an easy-read format, avoiding jargon

Why it matters: 

My presentation was really well received, and I was even asked to record it for wider distribution, so it could be shared with professionals working with children and people with additional needs.

 

Infographics to educate local workforces

3. Reducing food waste in a local food pantry

Many food pantry users rely on short-dated products, and without clear guidance, a lot of good food can go to waste.

What I did:

• Designed simple, visual signs with food storage and cooking tips (e.g. "Chop me then freeze me")
• Introduced a ‘Freeze me’ sign for bread and monitored its impact

What happened?

Twice as much bread was sold the day after the sign was put up compared to the previous two weeks combined!

Signs made to reduce food waste

What I learned

• Public health plays a key role in patient care - I saw first-hand how wider social factors impact people’s ability to manage their health and access services.
• Being proactive is crucial - I reached out to stakeholders independently, which helped me build confidence and leadership skills.
• Flexibility is a great learning experience - managing my own projects and working in a less structured environment improved my time management and adaptability.
• Self-care matters - the flexibility of this placement meant I could work in different settings, including from the park on sunny days!

Final thoughts

Introducing dietetic placements into public health settings is a win-win. It helps students gain a broader skillset, supports NHS capacity, and brings dietetic expertise into community settings.

Of course, doing things differently comes with challenges. Expanding placements into public health settings has required commitment from everyone involved - academics, placement providers, and students. But we’re constantly learning and improving, and we’re proud to be making a real impact on the health of our local communities.