A new service has been launched to help Waltham Forest people struggling with issues such as loneliness, unemployment and housing.

The social prescribing service aims to support people who go to their GP, local pharmacist or other care professionals for help with non-medical problems that affect their health and wellbeing.

With agreement, the GP, or the health or social care professional will refer people to the social prescribing team, who will call them to discuss their needs.

The new service, which will run as a pilot for 18 months, is a joint initiative set up by Waltham Forest council and Waltham Forest Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Cllr Ahsan Khan, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Waltham Forest’s new social prescribing service is a really innovative and exciting new approach to helping meet residents’ needs.

“By working in partnership across the Council, with NHS Waltham Forest CCG, other local health professionals, and with our local voluntary and community organisations, we believe this service will help ensure more residents get access to the kind of support services they need to be able to enjoy a good quality life.”

For more information, visit: walthamforest.gov.uk.