The Nuances of Social Prescribing in Rural Communities
Tracks
Prince
| Thursday, November 5, 2026 |
| 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM |
Overview
Kate Hawtin, Community Mental Health Australia
Three Key Learnings
1. A Living Lab Model is a better way to co-design
2. Building capacity for Aboriginal cultural activities leads to enhanced social and emotional wellbeing
3. Building capacity for CALD communities to connect with cultural activities promoting nostalgia, leads to enhanced mental wellbeing
Presenter
Ms Kate Hawtin
National Policy Director
Community Mental Health Australia
The Nuances of Social Prescribing in Rural Communities
Presentation Overview
As part of Community Mental Health Australia’s Assisting Communities Through Direct Connection (ACDC) Project, a national, survey-based consultation was undertaken with NDIS Support Workers supporting people with psychosocial disability to contribute to data on the unmet need for psychosocial support.
Survey data reported that a total of 78% of NDIS Support Workers nationally felt unable to provide enough mental health support for NDIS Participants with psychosocial disability, and 83% felt that they would like more training or professional development opportunities for their role.
When asked what additional support for NDIS Participants with psychosocial disability could look like, Support Workers felt that social or recreational activities, opportunities for meaningful contribution and physical health should be the focus.
The ACDC Project’s community co-research activities have engaged almost 200 lived experience representatives, Local Council, GPs and community mental health services to identify activity-based social prescribing models for priority populations, including Aboriginal people, people living in rural areas, women aged 65 - 74 years and employees in construction, manufacturing and logistics, incorporating referral pathways from both health and community settings.
Utilising the concept of Link Workers, social prescribing identifies individual needs to refer people to social activities and social services, and is included in Australia’s Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan 2022 - 2032.
ACDC Project activities have explored the value and importance of social prescribing to meet non-medical needs, address social determinants of health, and identify strategies for cross-sectoral collaboration. Key project sites include the Barossa Valley, Launceston, Cherbourg and Cairns, undertaking a deep dive to develop social prescribing models delivered by a peer workforce, with priority population groups driving all research activities, and the presentation of models of care through grassroots community filmmaking.
Survey data reported that a total of 78% of NDIS Support Workers nationally felt unable to provide enough mental health support for NDIS Participants with psychosocial disability, and 83% felt that they would like more training or professional development opportunities for their role.
When asked what additional support for NDIS Participants with psychosocial disability could look like, Support Workers felt that social or recreational activities, opportunities for meaningful contribution and physical health should be the focus.
The ACDC Project’s community co-research activities have engaged almost 200 lived experience representatives, Local Council, GPs and community mental health services to identify activity-based social prescribing models for priority populations, including Aboriginal people, people living in rural areas, women aged 65 - 74 years and employees in construction, manufacturing and logistics, incorporating referral pathways from both health and community settings.
Utilising the concept of Link Workers, social prescribing identifies individual needs to refer people to social activities and social services, and is included in Australia’s Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan 2022 - 2032.
ACDC Project activities have explored the value and importance of social prescribing to meet non-medical needs, address social determinants of health, and identify strategies for cross-sectoral collaboration. Key project sites include the Barossa Valley, Launceston, Cherbourg and Cairns, undertaking a deep dive to develop social prescribing models delivered by a peer workforce, with priority population groups driving all research activities, and the presentation of models of care through grassroots community filmmaking.
Biography
Cairns-based Brendan Larcombe, is a proud Gooreng Gooreng and Minjungbal Bundjalung man, implementing social prescribing models through his role as a leader in the Indigenous Marathon Foundation. As a Cultural Consultant for Community Mental Health Australia, Brendan has been instrumental in co-designing Aboriginal Peer Workforce models for the national Assisting Communities Through Direct Connection (ACDC) Project.
Community Mental Health Australia National Policy Director, Kate Hawtin brings 30 years of experience in rural sociology, project management, and health policy and service development, including establishing the South Australian Rural Women’s Outreach Program, and leading the National Rural After-Hours Triage Education Program.
