# Qualitative exploration of service users and social prescribing link workers of the Armed Forces Community social prescribing scheme in Cornwall

## TL;DR

This study explores how a social prescribing service in Cornwall, staffed by veterans, helps improve the health and well-being of Armed Forces Community members.

## Contribution

The first report on the experiences of the Armed Forces Community receiving bespoke social prescribing support delivered by veteran link workers.

## Key findings

- Having veteran link workers helped service users establish trust and engage more fully with the service.
- Service users reported improved mental health, living conditions, and a renewed sense of hope.
- The service addressed multiple health determinants like social isolation, housing, and finances.

## Abstract

The Armed Forces Community (AFC) experience significant health inequalities and barriers to accessing support. Cornwall, England, has one of the highest AFC populations. A social prescribing service, delivered by Active Plus, was developed to improve physical and mental well-being and target wider determinants of health of this population. Uniquely, the service is delivered by social prescribing link workers who are themselves veterans.

This evaluation aimed to qualitatively explore the experiences of the service users and the social prescribing link workers.

Semistructured interviews of five service users and four social prescribing link workers were conducted online using Google Meet. Service users were sampled to reflect diversity in service branch, age and time since leaving the Armed Forces. Informed consent processes were carried out. Data were transcribed, checked, anonymised and inductively thematically analysed.

Service users had struggled to transition from a military to a civilian identity. Referrals were for mental health, social isolation, housing, finances, physical health and domestic abuse. Having a social prescribing link worker who was a veteran was a crucial component of establishing trust, without the need to explain military culture or experiences. This was instrumental in helping service users engage more fully with the service offered. Service users reported improvements in their living conditions and mental health, were more connected to other people and had a renewed sense of hope and optimism.

This is the first report of experiences of the AFC receiving bespoke social prescribing support. The findings highlight the crucial nature of designing the social prescribing service to resonate with military culture and the difficulties of transitioning to a civilian identity. Service users had improved well-being and were supported with a range of determinants of health. Further research needs to be carried out on other AFC members to confirm the findings.