Social prescribing of cultural opportunities to support health and wellbeing: the importance of language, community engagement, and inclusion in developing local approaches.

backgroundThere is growing evidence for the role of culture in supporting health and wellbeing, including as part of social prescribing provision. This study set out to explore the existing cultural provision and mechanisms for connecting people to cultural opportunities as part of a local social prescribing offer in the UK and how it could it be strengthened to better support health and wellbeing. A broad view of culture was adopted encompassing the creative and digital industries, heritage, food, hospitality, nature, greenspaces, and sport. It covers activity associated with the artforms and organisations such as collections, combined arts, dance, libraries, literature, museums, music, theatre and the visual arts.

methodsA qualitative exploratory descriptive approach using focus groups was employed to explore the perspectives and experiences of social prescribing and the cultural provision in an area of the East of England. Six focus groups were conducted with social prescribers, community connectors, healthcare professionals, cultural providers, adults with lived experience of adverse health, and young people. Data was analysed using a reflexive thematic approach.

resultsFindings from the research highlight the need for a clear and shared understanding of culture and health and the link to social prescribing. Barriers for connecting people with culture and health opportunities in the area were identified including gaps in provision and processes, challenges due to language and terminology, accessibility issues for marginalised groups, and issues around funding for transport and sustainable and equitable provision of cultural opportunities.

conclusionsThis study indicated that to engage local communities in social prescribing and the development of cultural provision for social prescribing, proactive outreach community strategies are required. This could be achieved by involving community leaders, organisers, connectors, and representatives. In addition to promote the concept of culture for health and social prescribing and engage the wider community it was suggested that community members should be involved in and contribute to culture and health social prescribing locally through volunteering, roles for students, training opportunities, and befriending or buddy schemes.