Imagine visiting your doctor for recurring fatigue, only to discover that loneliness, not illness, is the root cause. Let me tell you to this is a very common thing – many GP appointments are driven by issues better managed through non-medical interventions. Recognising that issues like loneliness, stress, and poverty are critical factors in overall health is more important than ever.
This is where Social Prescribing (SP) comes in. Gaining prominence in the last few years, SP connects patients to non-medical services and community activities. From art therapy to gardening, these community-centred “prescriptions” aim to improve well-being, combat isolation, and ease the strain on medical services by tackling the social roots of health issues. Social prescribing has evolved from a clinical approach focused on pharmaceuticals to a more holistic model that recognises the importance of social connection, creativity, and community in overall well-being.
20% of GP appointments are taken up by issues that could be better managed through non-medical interventions.
Beyond general practice, the impact of SP extends into other sectors as well. Currently, it is estimated that around 20% of GP appointments are taken up by issues that could be better managed through non-medical interventions. The practice also significantly impacts police services, with 20-40% of their time often dedicated to mental health-related incidents. Ideally, SP provides a path to alleviate this pressure, diverting individuals from the medical and law enforcement systems toward more community-centred support.
Yet beneath this hopeful vision lies a complex reality. Charities and local organisations, the backbone of SP, are grappling with a surging demand without the matching increase of resources or support. Small organisations like KORI, already operating on tight budgets, are being leaned on to fill gaps once managed by healthcare systems. While funding an individual’s well-being is undoubtedly expensive, it is also necessary. Since 2019-20, there has been a £4.6 billion fall in revenue for smaller charitable organisations, while larger charities have seen their revenues increase by £4.5 billion over the same period. Just 4% of the largest national charities now account for 85% of all charitable income in England and Wales, with their collective wealth surpassing the combined income of 160,000 for small charities.
How can we make social prescribing sustainable?
The question remains: how we can make SP sustainable for both users and community-based organisations like KORI, where Social Prescribing is not a new concept – it has been providing long before it had a name or became a formal system. Through initiatives like one-to-one support, interventions, advocacy, and workshops on essential life skills, KORI has always addressed the social roots of well-being. KORI’s programmes also include pairing young people with industry mentors, organising city trips, residentials, and counselling services to support emotional resilience. Additionally, the organisation fosters community connections by facilitating referrals, signposting to additional resources, and engaging parents to build stronger support networks. Even before SP became widely recognised, this approach was empowering young people.
KORI sees the impact of social prescribing first-hand – and the sheer scale of it. Referrals are received weekly from the National Health Services (NHS), Early Prevention Services, schools, colleges, and parents. Roughly 90-95% of the cases are accepted. This is a testament to the need in our community and the charity’s commitment. However, the system does not begin or end with a referral. Many young people remain sceptical of the process due to low exposure to it, and building trust takes time. The rapport building process that enables participants to constantly show up and engage in sessions or one-to-ones can take months to build, further stretching limited resources.
Community organisations are already overwhelmed… and people in desperate need are falling through the cracks.
Trust foundations and boroughs offer grants, but they are not enough. Community organisations are already overwhelmed, unable to handle the growing number of cases. The result? Long waiting lists and people in desperate need falling through the cracks. For small organisations like KORI, this relentless demand is a serious threat to their sustainability.
According to the Black Mental Health Manifesto by the Black Mental Health and Wellbeing Alliance, government investment is crucial to make social prescribing a viable solution, especially in marginalised communities. Recommendations like culturally affirming approaches, early intervention, and financial support for Black-led grassroots organisations are essential steps in building a more equitable model.
Organisations like KORI need more than just funding. They need the work they do for society to be assessed, recognised, and supported by capacity building, exposure, resources, and a shared commitment from statutory and philanthropic sectors. Only with an equitable collaborative approach can we really begin to alleviate the strain on small organisations and empower them to support their communities sustainably.
Written by: María José Calderón
References:
- Interview with Karl Chisipochinyi, Level 3 Social Prescriber Salford Family Hub Navigator at Salford Community & Voluntary Services, conducted by Maria Jose Calderon on 04/02/2025.
- Interview with Poppy Tomlinson, conducted by Maria Jose Calderon on 21/11/2024.
- Kaffash, J. (2023, February 1). More than one in five GP consultations caused or exacerbated by cost-of-living crisis. Pulse Today. https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/clinical-areas/respiratory/more-than-one-in-five-gp-consultations-caused-or-exacerbated-by-cost-of-living-crisis/
- Hymas, C. (2024, May 27). Big charities squeeze out local heroes, new figures show. The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/05/27/big-charities-squeeze-out-local-heroes-new-figures-show/
- Black Mental Health & Wellbeing Alliance | Black Mental health in the UK. (n.d.). The Black Manifesto. https://www.bmhwa.co.uk/
