The Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector has a crucial role in the development of Social Prescribing across London. In fact, what we nowadays call Social Prescribing has been present for decades under the banners of  community engagement and development, community navigating and networking, and youth work…  

The VCSE sector worked hard for many years to address the importance of the community activities in supporting peoples’ wellbeing. This work has led to the  introduction of Social Prescribing in Primary Care Networks  in London. Collaboration between healthcare sector and VCSE partners is developing.  

Currently, more than half of all organisations hosting Social Prescribing Link Workers are from VCSE organisations. Link Workers became an integral part of many charities, trusts, community interest companies, associations and other groups supporting local communities. Without a numerous activities and comprehensive local offer available to people, Social Prescribing would not be possible at all. 

It is crucial to look after VCSE organisations by making sure they receive appropriate support, funding and leadership that will allow them to thrive. 

Our Team supports VCSE by:

• Providing support to SP Managers and SPLWs hosted by VCSE 
• Promoting VCSE activities across London 

• Facilitating collaboration between VCSE and SPLWs 
• Providing projects supporting VCSE 

Resources

London Social Prescribing Network Newsletter (for voluntary organisations)

Monthly news, funding, insights and referral opportunities about all things to do with social prescribing activities across London. We encourage you to access the London Social Prescribing Network’s extensive, up-to-date list of resources to help you and your practice, including explaining what social prescribing is, useful reports, research and organisations to refer people to. 

• Join the Network to receive the monthly newsletter. 

London Plus Newsletter 

Do you work in or with the voluntary sector in London? London Plus’s monthly newsletter includes the latest news, funding, resources, reports, and events for London’s charities & community groups.  

• Subscribe here

British Red Cross – Social prescribing is a vital part of treatment to tackle loneliness

The British Red Cross and Co-op have worked in partnership to tackle loneliness since 2015, supporting more than 9,000 people in almost 40 UK locations through the Connecting Communities service.

Read the article

National voices – Rolling Out Social Prescribing

This report summarises the findings of research conducted by National Voices for NHS England to explore the perspectives and experiences of the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in relation to the NHS rollout of social prescribing.

• Read full version
• Read summary version

NHS England – Social prescribing and community-based support

This summary guide from NHSE’s Personalised Care Team is aimed at people and organisations leading local implementation of social prescribing.

• Read summary