A new elearning module to support the health of the armed forces community (AFC) has now been added to Health Education England elearning for healthcare (HEE elfh)’s Social Prescribing – Learning for Link Workers programme.

Social Prescribing and the Armed Forces Community is designed to enhance social prescribing link workers (SPLWs)’s support for current serving personnel, veterans and their families. While many aspects of their health needs are the same as other members of society, there are sometimes significant differences from other patients, particularly conditions related to life in the forces, and the overall impact of military life on the family.

This module – developed in partnership with NHS England and NHS Improvement – provides an overview of the unique challenges of service life and how SPLWs can support this community. On completion of the module, learners will gain new skills such as:

• gaining knowledge of the key legislation and policies in relation to the AFC
• identifying a range of services and what they offer to the AFC
• reflecting on social prescribing processes from own and client perspectives and evaluate implications for the AFC

It also includes sources of further information and support. Primarily this module is aimed at SPLWs but may also be of interest to anyone supporting members of the AFC.

The module has been developed as part of a 2 year demonstrator funded by NHS England and NHS Improvement’s Armed Forces Health Team, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and supported by Northumbria University – The Northern Hub for Veterans and Families Research and the South West Integrated Personalised Care Team.

For more information and to access the module, please visit the Social Prescribing – Learning for Link Workers programme page.