Social prescribing enables healthcare professionals to refer patients to a link worker, who can connect them to community groups and voluntary services for practical and emotional support.
This community support often comes in the form of activities such as art classes, singing, knitting, cookery, yoga, walking, gardening or reading groups.
This alternative therapy has gained support in the NHS organisations of the United Kingdom and is now widely used.
It has been recognised that this community-focused approach, can be effective for improving mental health.
Many social prescribing services have seen increased referrals during the pandemic as population wellbeing has declined due to isolation and loneliness.
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