The National Academy for Social Prescribing has launched a survey about the future of social prescribing in England, to help inform our new strategy, set to be released from 2026 onwards.
Our current strategy (from 2023-26) outlines five key ambitions for social prescribing:
- A connected social prescribing system enabling easier access toâactivities and information
- Local, national and international partnerships drivingâinnovative ideas and approaches
- Boosted investment in community activities directly supporting people'sâhealth and wellbeing
- The best evidence shaping social prescribingâpolicy, practice and research
- A raised profile of how social prescribingâchanges lives and strengthens communities
Since then, the Government has published the new NHS plan, Fit For the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England with a focus on developing a new neighbourhood health service - and shifting care from hospitals to communities and from treatment to prevention.
Charlotte Osborn-Forde, Chief Executive of the National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP), responded to the plan, saying:
âWe strongly support the focus of the new NHS Plan on preventing health problems and on developing neighbourhood health. The plan highlights the importance of a social prescribing approach â addressing issues like debt and employment that impact health and wellbeing, and ensuring strong connections between the health system and community-based support.âÂ
With this in mind, NASPâs survey seeks to understand the biggest challenges facing the future of social prescribing in England, how NASP can help ensure that link workers and other roles that connect to the community are able to meet the needs of their role, ensuring sufficient training, development and support for link workers, ensuring social prescribing is better embedded in the NHS, how to ensure sustainable funding for charities and community groups and more.
Are you interested in social prescribing and community connection? Whether you are experienced link worker or new to social prescribing, an academic researcher, faith leader, clinician or community volunteer, whatever your role or sector, we want to hear from you! Take the opportunity to share your thoughts by taking five minutes to complete the survey today:
The results will be reflected in NASPâs future strategy. Thank you for contributing your time and expertise to improving the future of health and social care in England.
For more information, contact: [email protected]
