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Let's change the way we look at health and wellbeing

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Apply for the Power of Music Fund

Music can be a lifeline for people living with dementia and their carers. Apply for a three year grant for your organisation or activity.

What is the evidence for social prescribing?

How effective is social prescribing? Our briefings and visual guides give a clear overview of existing evidence. They point to the success of social prescribing initiatives. And they identify where we need to do more research.

Who we are

We want people to live the best lives they can 

NASP is a national charity that champions social prescribing. We support and connect people, communities and organisations so that more people across the UK can enjoy better health and wellbeing.

Here's what we are doing
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Social prescribing & me

Linda was left isolated after losing her husband. Evrill became lonely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shiv struggled with addiction issues. Social prescribing helped all three, as well as hundreds of thousands of others like them. 

What could social prescribing do for you?
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We're here to help you

We build partnerships, share resources and support your journey 

Whether you’re a health professional or link worker, involved with a voluntary organisation, or here to find help for yourself or a loved one, we have advice and information that can help.

Social prescribing - what's it all about?

Connecting people with activities and services that improve their health and wellbeing

For people struggling with loneliness, financial worries and many other issues, social prescribing could be described as “hope on prescription.” For the health service, it’s a system that makes sustainable sense.

What is Social Prescribing?
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Join in, learn and network.

Latest from NASP 

What we do

  • International Programme

    The international programme is for organisations, experts, and professionals at the forefront of social prescribing across the globe.

    We want to help communities thrive. To improve health and wellbeing at a grassroots level. And to reduce health costs, while providing better, more person-centred solutions. Wherever you are in the world. 

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  • Innovation in social prescribing

    Voluntary organisations exist to make a social impact. To help people live fuller, happier lives. Innovation is a way to support these organisations to overcome challenges, build capacity and improve the delivery of social prescribing.

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  • Local Communities

    Social prescribing creates healthier, happier, and better-connected communities. It can build a sense of belonging. And it can provide cost-effective support that really helps.

    But here at NASP, we understand the challenges faced by grassroots voluntary and community groups in delivering this vital work.

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View all What we do

Events

  • Webinar

    NASP Webinar: The Latest Evidence for Social Prescribing

    Hear about the latest evidence published by NASP and it’s International Evidence Collaborative in 2023.   This webinar will cover: what the recent evidence tells us about the benefits of social prescribing, how to make best use of this evidence , where the gaps in the evidence for social prescribing are and how we plan to address them.

  • Webinar

    NASP Webinar: RED January - Moving for change

    Hear about RED January and together let's make real changes, not new year resolutions. RED January is a nationwide public health movement that empowers us all to overcome barriers that currently lead to higher inactivity and lower wellbeing in the winter.  The idea is to sign up to RED January for free as an individual or team, set a personal movement challenge for the month that works for you and your lifestyle, and enjoy support from the RED community every step, splash and pedal of the way!  The National Academy for Social Prescribing is excited to be teaming up with RED January, to encourage health workers – who work tirelessly throughout winter to keep us all healthy – to sign up to RED January to help boost their own wellbeing this winter. With activities like desk Pilates and tips to embrace active travel, there are ways for even the busiest amongst us to take part. For interested doctors, link workers, nurses and other healthcare professionals, please sign up for the webinar hosted by NASP at 12pm on 14th December.
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Resources

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Read the evidence

  • Building the economic case for social prescribing

    Building the economic case for social prescribing

    There are a growing number of robust evaluations on the economic impact of social prescribing. Findings from studies using five different methods show that social prescribing can have a positive economic impact, including reducing pressure on the NHS a delivering return on investment.

  • Briefing and Rapid Evidence Review

    Children and young people's social prescribing

    There is emerging evidence to show the benefits of social prescribing for children and young people, particularly for those aged over 17, on personal and mental wellbeing, including loneliness. 

  • Briefing and Rapid Evidence Review

    Older People

    As the proportion of older people in our population continues to rise, it is important that the health and social care system is able to meet their needs. Social prescribing can support older people with poverty in five main ways: supporting food insecurity; supporting fuel poverty; supporting financial management; supporting digital inclusion; supporting social vulnerability.

View all Read the evidence

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