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.
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.Â
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.
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.
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.Â
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
NASP commissioned a rapid scoping review to identify and collate existing resources that aim to support the evaluation of social prescribing activities, particularly within the VCFSE sector, assess the appropriateness and quality of these resources and determine the need for an additional toolkit.Â
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.Â
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.