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Over the past decade, public service design and delivery have undergone significant changes, with major implications for voluntary and community organisations. Local public services have been reduced, while demand continues to grow, leading to a shift towards localised service delivery. This has transferred decision-making, budgets, and responsibility to local authorities and community-level partnerships, aiming to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
A key development in this shift is the emergence of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), which bring together health and social care providers, local authorities, and the voluntary sector to coordinate services within a defined geographical area. These partnerships aim to foster closer collaboration and a more holistic approach to service delivery, addressing local health and social care needs.
Within this evolving landscape, social prescribing has gained prominence as a way to connect individuals with non-clinical support, such as community hubs, local charities, and voluntary organisations, to improve health and well-being. By linking people to social, emotional, and practical support, social prescribing helps to alleviate pressure on overstretched services and promotes preventative care.
Community hubs, acting as central points for health, social, and voluntary services, play a crucial role in facilitating social prescribing and integrated care. These hubs provide access to a range of resources, fostering collaborative service delivery and enhancing community resilience. As public service provision becomes more diversified, voluntary and community organisations are increasingly vital in bridging the gap between health, care, and community-based support, ensuring more person-centered and accessible services.
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