Social Prescribing: A New Approach to Health

Social Prescribing is a new approach to health that connects medicine with social support, culture, and physical activity.

How does it work?

Trusted professionals, such as general practitioners, nurses, or social workers, identify a patient’s health needs that do not require strictly medical intervention (e.g., medication) and connect them with appropriate services in the local community. The goal is to improve health and well-being through social, cultural, and physical activities.

Coordinators responsible for this system ensure that participants receive information about available events and activities in their local area so they can "fill" their social prescription by attending classes or joining a group. Volunteer work is often recommended as part of the prescription, serving as an activating function that helps individuals feel needed within their community.

Another form of support that may be offered is a "kindness phone line"—a special helpline that plays an essential role, especially for elderly and lonely individuals.

Social Prescribing is already active in at least 33 countries across six continents.

Key Areas of Social Prescribing

Social prescriptions particularly emphasize:

• Physical activity (e.g., walking, yoga, dancing)
• Connection with nature (e.g., forest bathing, gardening)
• Art and culture (e.g., art workshops, concerts, choir singing, theater groups)
• Building social bonds (e.g., volunteering, support groups)
• Support hotlines

Proven Benefits

Evidence suggests that this method can alleviate the burden on healthcare systems by reducing the need for general practitioner visits and lowering the number of prescribed medications. It helps people feel heard, valued, and understood while fostering strong communities and supporting individuals most vulnerable to health problems.

Social Prescribing provides numerous benefits for both mental and physical health. It helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while enhancing a sense of belonging and social support. By fostering connections with others and encouraging participation in social activities, it improves overall well-being.

Additionally, it promotes physical health by increasing activity levels through walking, dancing, gardening, and other forms of movement, leading to better physical condition and a lower risk of chronic diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

Combating Social Isolation and Loneliness

Social Prescribing effectively combats social isolation and loneliness by helping elderly individuals and those with limited social opportunities build new relationships. Participation in local communities fosters integration and prevents exclusion.

Furthermore, it enhances patient access to local resources and services by connecting them with social organizations, support groups, cultural events, and art therapy. As a result, patients manage their health better, engaging in activities that support chronic disease treatment, stress reduction, and overall quality of life improvement.

Who Can Benefit from Social Prescribing?

Social Prescribing is designed for:

• People struggling with mental health issues (e.g., depression, anxiety, stress, burnout)
• Elderly and lonely individuals who need more social engagement and physical activity
• Individuals with chronic illnesses who can benefit from movement and social activity as part of their treatment
• People at risk of social exclusion, including those with disabilities, migrants, and homeless individuals
• Anyone looking to improve their health and quality of life through social, physical, and cultural activities

Examples of Social Prescribing Initiatives in Poland

Prescription for Life

In 2018, Konstantynów Łódzki became the first municipality in Poland to implement the innovative "Prescription for Life" project, introducing social prescriptions to support elderly and dependent individuals.

For many lonely and partially dependent seniors, a visit to the clinic is often the only motivation to leave the house and interact with others. This initiative offers a simple solution: doctors provide seniors with a "Prescription for Life," listing available events and activities tailored to older adults. The doctor marks activities they believe would benefit the patient most and encourages participation by motivating seniors to collect stickers from event organizers as proof of attendance.

Thanks to this collaboration, one in five patients at the local healthcare center—primarily elderly individuals—responded positively and joined an activity, significantly improving their social engagement.

Art on Prescription in the Baltic Sea Region

This project, implemented under the Interreg Baltic Sea Region program, aimed to improve mental health through cultural engagement. In Poland, the project was led by the West Pomeranian Voivodeship and the Media Dizajn Association.

The initiative included artistic workshops for young people aged 16–25, covering topics such as illustration, jewelry making, and graphic design.

Art on Prescription in Practice

The Baltic Sea Cultural Centre in Gdańsk organized workshops led by actors Sylwia Różycka and Karol Pruciak. Participants worked on understanding their emotions, developing social bonds, and using acting techniques such as emotional work, movement, and vocal training.

Books on Prescription

The Universal Reading Foundation runs a project where medical staff recommend daily reading to children, parents, and caregivers to support health and proper emotional and intellectual development in young children.

Video Explaining Social Prescribing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9azfXNcqD8

Sources:
https://socialprescribingacademy.org.uk/what-is-social-prescribing/
https://sieciwsparcia1.e.org.pl/project/recepta-na-zycie/ 
https://mediadizajn.pl/sztuka-na-recepte-w-regionie-morza-baltyckiego/ https://nck.org.pl/pl/wydarzenie/6466/sztuka-na-recepte-w-praktyce https://www.ksiazkanarecepte.pl/