Learning more about social prescribing in the North-West

By GreaterSport | 02 February 2022 | TAGS: Social prescribing, Health, Workforce

Social prescribing, also sometimes known as community referral, is a means of enabling health professionals to refer people to a range of local, non-clinical services. Recognising that people’s health and wellbeing are determined mostly by a range of social, economic and environmental factors, social prescribing seeks to address people’s needs in a holistic way. 

Schemes delivering social prescribing can involve a range of activities that are typically provided by voluntary and community sector organisations. Examples include volunteering, arts activities, group learning, gardening, befriending, cookery, healthy eating advice and a range of sports. There are different models of social prescribing being employed across England. Most involve a link worker (other terms such as community connector, navigator and health adviser are also used) who works with people to access local sources of support. 

GreaterSport is part of the North West Active Partnership Social Prescribing Forum who are seeking to learn more about those providing, or wanting to provide, movement-based activities (gardening, gym sessions, sports etc) for people on social prescribing pathways in the region. The Forum is aiming to develop support and training packages that enable existing / potential providers to offer the best possible experience for participants. 

If you are involved in this provision, please complete our 10-15 minute survey; the deadline is Wednesday 2nd March.

Complete the survey here