Social Prescribing
Social Prescribing connects people to non-medical support to address their broader wellbeing needs such as mental health challenges or isolation. Social Prescribing was formally introduced to NHS England in 2019 and often takes place through an NHS employed social prescribing link worker. This individual will listen to the needs of the patient and refer them to appropriate support such as a walking club, debt counselling, or gardening group.
What is Social Prescribing?
About Social Prescribing
Social care services and the NHS are under pressure, with 1 in 5 GP patients facing issues that medicine alone can't solve. Social health needs, like accommodation, finances, relationships, and creative expression, are key to the solution. Social Prescribing Link Workers, often based at GP surgeries, connect patients to local community activities that support their wellbeing. These activities—such as parent groups, exercise clubs, or coffee mornings—are often provided by charities and local organizations. Social prescribing can improve wellbeing, sometimes reducing the need for GP visits, while fostering community support to prevent loneliness and isolation.
Church Social Prescribing Drop in
Since August 2023, we have been thrilled to work in partnership with Theos to undergo a research project focusing on the opportunities, barriers and potential impact of engaging faith groups in social prescribing. Through facilitating interviews and focus groups we have had the privilege of hearing about the impact churches are already having on their local communities and the strong relationships that have been built between social prescribing link workers and church leaders.
This final stage of the research involves writing our report as well as developing ‘How to Guides’ to help local churches and link workers take the practical next steps towards better collaboration.
Our Work
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Webinar Catchup
Can’t wait to hear what churches are doing in social prescribing? Watch our webinar with the National Academy of Social Prescribing from December 2022 to hear more examples of what Churches around the UK are doing.