What is faith-based social prescribing?
Faith-based social prescribing is the role that faith communities, such as churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship, play in promoting health and wellbeing. These communities act as hubs for social connection, offering activities, advice and support. Through partnerships with social prescribing systems and link workers, faith organisations increasingly provide pathways into non-clinical, community-led care.
Why faith matters in social prescribing
Faith groups are trusted community anchors and are often recognised as safe, trusted spaces. They can also often reach people who are experiencing loneliness or isolation.
Beyond spiritual care, faith organisations contribute to wellbeing through emotional support, practical help and social opportunities.
Faith leaders and congregations can collaborate with health systems. Link workers refer people into faith-led initiatives and, in turn, faith communities identify and support individuals in need of care.
Strengthening partnerships for neighbourhood health
As the NHS shifts towards neighbourhood health, a new report from the National Academy of Social Prescribing (NASP) and Good Faith Partnership highlights the important role faith organisations can play in tackling health inequalities and supporting community wellbeing.
The report also explores how stronger partnerships between faith communities, link workers and health systems could help embed faith organisations more effectively within social prescribing pathways.
What we are doing at NASP
The Government's 10-year Health Plan represents a major opportunity for the health system and faith organisations to work together more closely as part of a neighbourhood health service. But how do we make this a reality? What are the opportunities and challenges?
With support from The Halley Stewart Trust, we are working closely with The Good Faith Partnership and a wide range of faith groups to improve links between the NHS and faith organisations.
We have co-hosted two faith and social prescribing roundtables, bringing together health leaders and national faith organisations spanning Christian, Muslim, Sikh and Hindu communities. We have also appointed Yusuf Patel as our Faith and Social Prescribing Lead, to drive forward our work in this area.
Examples of faith-led social prescribing
Head Room Cafe
This inclusive faith community hub offers a welcoming space, helping to reduce loneliness and mental health stigma in a non-clinical setting.
Women's Wellbeing Sessions
The Waltham Forest Islamic Association runs wellbeing classes combining exercise with meditation and spiritual reflection, promoting both physical and mental health.
ChurchWorks Network
ChurchWorks engages multiple denominations across England to build partnerships with social prescribing teams, using church buildings and volunteer bases to support community health.
Evidence and resources
A report by ChurchWorks and the think tank Theos outlines how faith organisations can integrate with health services to support preventative care and encourage community resilience.
