Envisaging a Social Prescribing Fund in England
Yesterday, the National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) launched a report on ‘Envisaging a Social Prescribing Fund in England’ which makes the case for shared investment funding to support the provision of social prescribing services at a local level. We are all acutely aware that the lack of sustainable funding for the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector is a critical challenge and that their crucial work with communities is at risk. The arts and cultural sector, as part of the VCSFE, is equally vulnerable to the challenge of short-term and inadequate funding for delivering health and wellbeing outcomes. The Creative Health Review gives us compelling case studies and strong evidence for the benefits to individuals and communities and supports the shift to prevention and to community that we see recommended by Lord Darzi’s Review and in the forthcoming 10 Year Health Plan.
Some great examples of recent developments include the SHAPER programme which has just shared findings from assessing the effectiveness and implementation of three interventions: Melodies for Mums for Postnatal Depression, Dance for Parkinson’s and Stroke Odysseys. You can read a blog about the findings here. The Mobilising Community Assets research programme Prescribe Heritage Highland takes a partnership approach to co-producing heritage based social prescribing initiatives.
“I was very pleased to join the launch of the report on ‘Envisaging a Social Prescribing Fund in England’ which makes a compelling case for shared investment funding to support the provision of social prescribing services at a local level. Angela Rippon spoke passionately about her campaign to get the nation dancing, ‘Let’s Dance’. We know that creative health activities can make a significant contribution to helping people stay well, recover better and enjoy an improved quality of life throughout the life course. Funding for the work is a crucial piece of the jigsaw”.
- Alex Coulter, NCCH Director
Longstanding arts on prescription programmes have shown good social return on investment and have led to savings in the NHS through decreases in healthcare utilisation. For example as highlighted in the Creative Health Review on page 31, Artlift a participatory arts service referred to by GP services in Gloucestershire reported a 37% reduction in consultations, relating to a 27% reduction in overall spending. An evidence summary produced for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on the role of the arts in improving health and wellbeing found that arts-based social prescribing programmes have shown social return on investment of between £1.09 and £2.90 for every £1 spent.
NASP has many examples of the "life-changing" power of arts and creative health for social prescribing. Visit https://socialprescribingacademy.org.uk/what-is-social-prescribing/arts-and-culture-social-prescribing/
