A WORTHING and Adur project which has seen more than 1,000 people referred by their GPs for help in combating problems in their personal lives is set to continue.

Known as ‘social prescribing’, local GPs can refer patients to the ‘Going Local’ project if they think that non-medical problems might also be impacting on their health.

Those referred are helped to identify solutions to the problems ranging from housing, employment and financial worries to loneliness, bereavement and lifestyle issues.

Going Local presently runs out of six local GPs surgeries, and is hosted by Adur and Worthing Councils in partnership with West Sussex County Council and Coastal West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group.

It began as a two-year pilot in 2016 and now has funding until September 2020.

Going Local’s ‘Community Referrers’ help patients seek solutions and access local resources.

Patients have been encouraged to join local social groups and clubs, and volunteer with local charities.

They have also been referred to specialist organisations which can give them further advice.

The funding extension comes as Adur and Worthing Councils release a video showing the benefits of the project.

In the video, Carol Hilton, who has depression, talks about the support she has received from an Adur and Worthing Councils Community Referrer, Tom Visconti.

With Tom’s support, she has join local groups and activities which help combat her a sense of isolation and improve her mental health.

“If I hadn’t met Tom, I wouldn’t be around anymore,” she admits.