Career story
What do you do?
As a community link worker (CLW), I offer short-term support to help people live healthier and happier lives. I identify a whole range of social barriers, things that might affect a person’s ability to live the life they choose and I put in place the support they need to make positive changes.
Health inequality can affect people in many ways. As a community link worker, I link people with their local community, and can help with:
- housing
- employability
- weight loss
- connecting people with fitness experts
- and a whole host of other things
What do you like most about your job?
First and foremost are the people. I love to meet new people, connect with them, and make a positive difference in their lives.
Based in my local GP practice, I enjoy the fast-paced nature of the working environment. The brilliant support from colleagues also makes a huge difference to my day-to-day.
No two days are the same. It’s always different, people, situations, challenges, and opportunities – and I love that.
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Do you have any top tips for someone considering a career as a community link worker?
If you’d like to become a CLW, flexibility, and adaptability are key skills to have. Working across many different settings with professionals from a range of backgrounds can be challenging, but exciting at the same time.
If you have a good knowledge of health inequalities, enjoy helping to empower people to set and meet goals, and can offer a listening ear when needed, this is the role for you.
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Community link working (CLW) in Scotland
Increased provision of CLW services in Scotland was a key measure introduced in the Scottish General Medical Council contract in 2018, with the aim of reducing the workload on GPs across the country.
To find out more about the responsibilities of the role, read the job description.
