Social prescribing is different to established public health measures such as advising on healthy lifestyle changes or other health promotion activities. Instead, social prescribing aims to support patients with dealing with a range of socioeconomic factors which may impact on health and wellbeing. This can mean making referrals regarding aspects such as: ^3,9,10

·     -  loneliness;

·     -  poor housing;

·     -  financial instability and economic hardship;

·     -  abusive relationships;

·     -  other complex social needs;

·     -  education; and/or

·     -  employment status.

The health professional’s role in social prescribing lies in assessing whether there might be a potential benefit and then referring the patient to a social prescribing link worker. The link worker (who may or may not have a clinical background) then takes over with helping the person to access support and advice or to take up new activities to promote wellbeing and reduce the impact of negative influences in their life.

This could see the person:^3,10,11

·       - attending appropriate advisory services for debt management, claiming benefits or helping to better understand the welfare system;

·       - volunteering for or attending community services or activities such as befriending groups, art or craft classes, community gardening projects etc;

·      - taking up exercise/sport or cookery classes;

·     -  receiving help with mobility issues.