Lots of chat on here today about the ‘lack of evidence’ for #SocialPrescribing, following the publication of yet another study, so I thought I would make a few, hopefully obvious, points…
Social Prescribing is simply a term to describe an effective mechanism for supporting people to connect to community based activity - either via a community connector, or one of the amazing Link Workers throughout the country
It responds to the fact that at least one in five GP appointments are for non medical need - it isn’t about over medicalising community support - it is about not medicalising social issues
Evidencing the impact of ‘social’ interventions is difficult to do with the same methodologies that might be used for clinical trials for example
Numerous studies have however found evidence of positive impact, both for individual people and systems - let’s not swing to conclusions based on one particular report but look at long term impacts of a significant shift in thinking
In the main #SocialPrescribing connects people to activities that achieve three things: improved knowledge about a particular issue e.g housing, debt; greater physical activity; belonging within your community
We know there is a significant evidence base of the negative health impact of both a lack of physical exercise and the existence of loneliness or social isolation - #SocialPrescribing is at the heart of trying to address these issues
Hundreds of thousands of people have benefitted from #SocialPrescribing and experience the positive impact of community daily - there are countless case studies and stories of the personal achievements and life changes - let’s listen to those who truly know
If there is no evidence of social prescribing then there is no evidence of the benefits for humans of going for a run, singing in a choir, swimming, dancing, becoming more educated, getting advice, meeting friends, being part of nature - the list goes on and on…
Thank you to all those who work to transform lives through community work, community development, social prescribing, local area coordination, or the myriad of other terms that support people to connect - please keep doing what you do so brilliantly despite headlines
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