What do we mean when we say ‘Social prescribing’ in The Abundance Project?
‘Social prescribing […] is an approach that connects people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing.
In social prescribing, local agencies such as local charities, social care and health services refer people to a social prescribing link worker. Social prescribing link workers give people time, focusing on ‘what matters to me?’ to coproduce a simple personalised care and support plan, and support people to take control of their health and wellbeing.’
© NHS England, ‘Social Prescribing’ [source]
‘Many things that affect our health can’t be treated by doctors or medicine alone. [Things] like loneliness, debt, or stress due to financial pressures or poor housing. Social prescribing connects people to non-medical support to address these issues and other unmet needs.
Social prescribing can help change the circumstances that can make people unwell. It can empower people to manage existing health problems, to get the right benefits or get back into employment. It can help people to connect and to grow in confidence.
© National Academy for Social Prescribing, ‘What is Social Prescribing?’ [source]