Celebrating a ‘Commended’ Win for Our Youth Social Prescribing Project
We’re absolutely thrilled to share that our Youth Social Prescribing Project has been awarded a Commended certificate in the Supporting Young People Award at the Norfolk & Suffolk Health and Care Awards 2026. This recognition means a lot to us, to our partners at 4YP, and most importantly, to the young people who have shaped this project from the very beginning.
This project began in the aftermath of the pandemic, when young people were facing complex challenges and needed support that truly listened to what mattered to them. Commissioned by Babergh & Mid-Suffolk Council and working alongside 4YP, we embedded Youth Link Workers (YLWs) in four schools across Babergh and Mid Suffolk, focusing on early, preventative, non clinical support for young people experiencing mental health difficulties, social isolation, or wider life pressures.
What makes this project special is the way our YLWs work. They don’t arrive with ready made answers, they listen, collaborate, and help young people build on their strengths. Together, they co create plans that feel achievable and meaningful. And when financial barriers get in the way, the Enabling Fund helps young people access the right support or activities for them.
The impact has been powerful. Young people supported through the project saw a 63% average improvement in wellbeing scores, and 353 young people were connected with new community activities. Families told us they felt more stable and communicated better. Schools saw improved attendance, renewed confidence, and young people re engaging with their learning.
Some of the stories behind this work stay with us. At Stowmarket High School, a group of boys struggling with anger and behaviour issues worked with their YLW to design active, strengths based sessions. They eventually joined the local gym through the Enabling Fund, and we saw a real drop in negative behaviour points, but more importantly, a rise in confidence and positive focus.
Another young person, who was often emotionally dysregulated and withdrawn, slowly built trust with their YLW. Over the summer, they started attending drop ins at The Mix, first sitting outside, then joining in, then thriving. Today, they’ve secured a job and joined our Young Leaders Programme. Watching that journey unfold has been one of the most rewarding parts of this project.
Being awarded a Commended certificate is a celebration of all these moments, the quiet breakthroughs, the big steps forward, and the resilience young people show every day. We’re proud of our team, proud of our partners, and incredibly proud of the young people who continue to shape this project with creativity, honesty, and imagination.
