Connected Community Care Belfast | Social Prescribing & Wellbeing Support

Helping you find local support for your health and wellbeing

Kensington Medical Centre Belfast wants patients to know about Connected Community Care, a local social prescribing service for adults in Belfast.

Sometimes health and wellbeing are affected by things that tablets or medical appointments alone cannot fix. This may include loneliness, stress, caring responsibilities, money worries, confidence, low mood, long-term health conditions, bereavement, housing issues, or needing help to get involved in local activities.

Connected Community Care can link you with a Wellbeing Coordinator who will listen, help you identify what matters most to you, and connect you with local support.

 

What is social prescribing?

Social prescribing helps people access non-medical support in their local community. This may include emotional support, practical help, exercise groups, social activities, community organisations, advice services, self-management programmes, or support for long-term conditions.

The aim is to help you take a more active role in your own health and wellbeing.

 

Who can use Connected Community Care?

Connected Community Care is available for adults aged 18 and over who are registered with a Belfast GP practice.

This includes patients registered with Kensington Medical Centre Belfast.

 

How Connected Community Care may help

A Wellbeing Coordinator can help you explore support for:

• Loneliness or social isolation
• Stress, low mood or emotional wellbeing
• Support with long-term health conditions
• Getting more active
• Confidence and motivation
• Bereavement or life changes
• Carer support
• Money, housing or practical worries
• Community groups and local activities
• Support after illness or a difficult period

This service is not a replacement for urgent medical care, mental health crisis support, or emergency services. If you feel very unwell, unsafe, or in crisis, please seek urgent help.

 

How to self-refer

You do not need to wait for a GP appointment to ask for help from Connected Community Care.

You can self-refer by contacting the service directly:

Email: referral@ccchub.co.uk
Telephone: 028 9590 1407

You can also ask your GP, practice team, or social worker to refer you if you would prefer.

 

What happens after referral?

After you are referred, a Wellbeing Coordinator will usually contact you to discuss your needs.

They may complete a holistic needs assessment with you. This simply means they will look at your overall wellbeing, not just one medical issue.

They can then help create a support plan and connect you with suitable local services. Follow-up may be offered to check whether the support has helped.

 

Connected Community Care for Cancer

There is also a Connected Community Care for Cancer service for people affected by cancer in the Greater Belfast area.

This service can help connect patients, carers and families with local cancer support, emotional wellbeing support, practical help and community services.

Patients can self-refer using the Belfast Trust online form or contact the team by:

Telephone: 028 9590 1407
Email: cccforcancer@belfasttrust.hscni.net

 

Frequently asked questions

 

Do I need to see a GP first?

No. You can self-refer directly by emailing referral@ccchub.co.uk or phoning 028 9590 1407.

 

Is this service only for people with medical problems?

No. The service can support people whose wellbeing is affected by social, emotional, practical or lifestyle issues. These issues can still have a major impact on health.

 

Is this an emergency service?

No. Connected Community Care is not an emergency service. If you have severe symptoms, chest pain, signs of stroke, feel unsafe, or need urgent medical help, please use the appropriate urgent or emergency service.

 

Can the practice refer me?

Yes. If you are unsure about self-referring, you can ask the practice team, your GP, or your social worker to refer you.

 

What kind of support might I be linked with?

This may include local community groups, exercise opportunities, wellbeing support, advice services, carer support, support for long-term conditions, social activities or other local services.

 

Is this confidential?

The service will discuss your needs with you and explain how your information is used. If you have concerns about privacy, please ask the Wellbeing Coordinator when they contact you.

 

Can carers use the service?

Yes, carers may benefit from support, especially if caring responsibilities are affecting their wellbeing, confidence, social life or health.

 

Can children use the service?

The general Connected Community Care service is for adults aged 18 and over.

 

What if I have cancer or I am supporting someone with cancer?

You may be able to use Connected Community Care for Cancer. You can contact the team on 028 9590 1407 or email cccforcancer@belfasttrust.hscni.net.

 

What should I include in my referral email?

You can keep it simple. Include your name, date of birth, contact number, GP practice, and a brief sentence about the type of support you are looking for.

Example:

“Hello, I am registered with Kensington Medical Centre Belfast and would like to self-refer to Connected Community Care. I would appreciate support with my wellbeing and finding local community services. My contact number is…”

 

Contact Connected Community Care

Email: referral@ccchub.co.uk
Telephone: 028 9590 1407

 

For cancer-related support:

Email: cccforcancer@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Telephone: 028 9590 1407