Skip to Main Content

The Missing Link: social prescribing for children and young people

by Beverley Matthews | Oct 11, 2023 | in Prevention and early intervention conversation

This new report by Barnardos "demonstrates that social prescribing improves children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing and is cost effective. We are calling for a national strategy to ensure all children and young people have access to social prescribing, and to the community activities that support them. 


What is social prescribing?

Social prescribing is a way of connecting people to activities, groups, and services that help improve their health and wellbeing (NHS, 2023). ​​​​​Examples of the type of support included as part social prescribing services include: 

  • group activities like crafting and cinema clubs to reduce loneliness 
  • walking groups to improve low activity levels and reduce the effect of long-term conditions 
  • outdoor activities and exercise including gardening or swimming to reduce anxiety and improve wellbeing (Indeed, 2023) 

https://www.barnardos.org.uk/research/missing-link-social-prescribing-children-young-people 

Idea image
edited on Oct 11, 2023 by Beverley Matthews
Public (3)
You will need to login to post a comment
Sarah Stockham Oct 19, 2023

social prescribing is a really interesting initiative, and one that i can see growing - im aware a lot of areas are now using social prescribers in CYP settings in PCNs, CAMHS etc. It would be great to hear more about your experience of social prescribing and if you have any outcomes or evidence of how it has worked in your area

Lyse Edwards Oct 19, 2023

I worry about the language of ‘social prescribing’. It seems to be medicalising the concept of meaningful activity for young people. Perhaps if we invested in youth work (as other posts have suggested) we wouldn’t need to ‘prescribe’ social activities for young people.

Laura Forrest Oct 31, 2023

I would love to be able to connect up families more with others I see with the same challenges. Eg head to this group for young people diagnosed with ASD who love Minecraft/ football/ whichever interest. There are many areas of unmet need eg teenage girls with ASD who would benefit from a group where they could meet weekly or even once a fortnight for an activity. So good for these young people to know they are not alone; to access support outside of school where they can build their identity around their interests and individual strengths. Would also help if the parents of these children could meet and share their experiences. I see charities developing these groups in West London but be great to see such support nationally