Rather than rest on my laurels, I hit the ground running in January and tried to figure out whether there was anything I could do to improve my work and financial situation.
Some time ago, I was awarded Universal Credit for 12 months. That expired a few months ago, so my income dropped dramatically, AND I now have to shell out for prescriptions, eye tests and dental treatment as PIP doesn’t cover that. I’m no longer eligible for a concessionary travel pass as I’m not under the Learning Disability Team at the Local Authority – a stipulation that came into force in 2021 (and was never publicised) – and I’m not currently under any therapist or any other NHS specialist.
So, what do I do?
I managed to get forwarded to NHS Social Prescribing, ‘an approach that connects people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing.’ They booked me in for a meeting on the 9th, last Thursday. Welfare Rights were also supposed to call me on the 8th. That never happened.
The 9th rolled around and I met with LC who worked at Social Prescribing; she asked where I was up to in life. We discussed head injuries, memory difficulties, qualifications, work, previous therapies, mental health, physical health (Veganuary is having a few positive effects on me) and plans for my future.
We also chatted about the NHS’s Silvercloud online mental health programme, something I’m tapping through at the moment. I’ll blog more on this another time.
I’m being put in touch with other people who should be able to help. LC will chase up Welfare Rights for me.
I’ll update the blog on Social Prescribing probably in 2 weeks.
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