Catalyst Stockton supports countless local charities and community groups by offering guidance, resources and funding. Labelled as the charity that helps other charities, over the last 18 years Catalyst has become a key strategic partner in the borough’s VCSE sector.
Their unique position as the borough’s primary infrastructure charity has enabled Catalyst to build strong relationships across a wide range of local organisations. The networks built proved invaluable when Catalyst launched their Link the Way project. The project came about because of Catalyst’s provision of projects across the area that support the reduction of health inequalities. The organisation knew they could use the learning and feedback from service users to develop awareness and use of social prescribing.
VONNE have been proud to support Catalyst and their Link the Way project through the Healthy Communities and Social Prescribing Infrastructure Investment Programme. Funded by the North East and North Cumbria ICB, the grants supported thirteen organisations to improve the social prescribing offer in their localities from April 2023 – June 2025.
Link The Way offers crucial support to social prescribers and their patients across Stockton by connecting those needing support with trained community-based volunteers. These volunteers help individuals access the activities agreed with their prescribers, something that can feel daunting for those facing social isolation or struggling with low confidence or physical difficulties. Walking into a new environment alone is never easy, especially for those already dealing with anxiety or loneliness.
The project is a partnership led by Daniel Forrest, Development Worker at Catalyst and supported by Amara Iqbal, Development & Engagement Officer at Pioneering Care Partnership and has already led to some powerful outcomes. One prescriber came to Catalyst seeking help to support an individual who wanted to access a gym but felt too anxious to go alone. With the support and understanding of one of the project’s compassionate volunteers, they built the confidence to take that first step and now regularly attend sessions at their local gym. Another service user wanted to get to know their community and be active but were unable to speak English and couldn’t find an interpreter. Link the Way were able to find them a volunteer who uses basic sign language and an online translator to communicate, and they are happily discovering their local communities together.
Social prescribers involved in the project have found it valuable, with one highlighting:
“The gent I referred had a really positive outcome and I was able to discharge him from my caseload as a direct result of the extra help the volunteer provided him as he no longer needed mine, or the volunteers support. This is really positive!”
The Link the Way project has also enabled community organisations and groups to support newcomers in a more holistic and personal way by designating specific individuals to act as ‘hosts’ within their organisation. When a referred individual attends a community group for the first time, the host will greet them upon arrival and show them around. They introduce them to the group and help them get ready for the activity. Feedback from this approach has found it to be inclusive and successful at breaking social barriers, ensuring people are comfortable and more at ease when joining social prescribing activities.
In short, Catalyst and the Link the Way project aimed to create sustainable and hyper-local change, helping people connect with their communities, improve their wellbeing and build a better quality of life.
Reflecting on the project, Tracy Bushnall, Community Projects Manager at Catalyst said:
“We’re so proud of the impact we’ve had so far - and we’re committed to continuing this work for the benefit of our community.”
You can find out more about Catalyst Stockton’s work on their website and more about the Link the Way project here. If you would like to know more about VONNE’s Healthy Communities and Social Prescribing programme you can access the webpage here and join the Healthy Communities and Social Prescribing Network to receive regular news and information.