£ 3.6 million social prescribing funding for mental health support
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More than £ 3.6 million of government funding has been awarded to the National Academy of Social Prescribing ( NASP ) to support wellbeing , including impacts of loneliness .
This additional funding builds on previous success , which supported 36 projects helping more than 10,000 people , and it is hoped that thousands of people will continue to access innovative types of mental health support , proven to improve healthy living , reduce overprescribing and save capacity for GPs .
Social prescribing can help those experiencing grief , addiction , dementia and loneliness through a wide range of community-led social activities , services and opportunities that have proven benefits to people ’ s health and wellbeing .
This could include gardening clubs for people to socialise and learn new skills , new exercise classes to build confidence and become healthier , as well as financial advice for people with money worries , among many other initiatives .
NASP has also introduced an academic collaboration to develop a robust evidence base for social prescribing and the benefits it can bring to the nation ’ s health . It will continue to build innovative partnerships between the health system and the voluntary sector to ensure that social prescribing reaches those most in need .
Minister of State for Social Care Helen Whatley said : ‘ Social prescribing is an unsung hero in getting thousands of people the support they need to get through hard times – whether it be low selfesteem , dementia or loneliness .
‘ I ’ m really pleased that we ’ ve agreed new funding for NASP , so it can continue the valuable work it does .’
In 2019 , the government set out a manifesto commitment to extend social prescribing and expand the NASP and Professor Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard , NASP Chair , said : ‘ We are delighted to have continued support from the Department for Health and Social Care , in recognition of the positive impact that social prescribing is having on the health and wellbeing of our communities .’
Giving people more choice and control over their own health and care was an important part of the NHS Long Term Plan , and we have already far exceeded our ambitions , providing personalised care including social prescriptions to millions of people .”
James Sanderson , Director of Personalised Care and Community Services at NHS England , added : ‘ Giving people more choice and control over their own health and care was an important part of the NHS Long Term Plan , and we have already far exceeded our ambitions , providing personalised care , including social prescriptions to millions of people .
‘ This funding should put even more options and evidence into the hands of local NHS teams , to help them better support the record number of people experiencing mental health issues since the start of the pandemic .’
Social Prescribing Day 2023 will take place on 9 March . See page 12 for more information .
10 OTnews February 2023