Steps to benefit from social prescription : a qualitative interview study

Background: Social prescribing has the potential to address multiple health and social problems but not enough is known about how it works. We aimed to understand how people engaged in socially prescribed activity perceive it as beneficial to them.

Methods: Qualitative interview study involving people attending a range of socially prescribed activities. Participants were purposively recruited from a multi-activity social prescribing provider. Data was collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Analysis used a thematic approach, in which emerging themes were contextualised with interview transcripts and findings from existing literature.

Results: We identified five themes, which together formed a journey of engagement and participation. While not always present for any one individual, the themes occurred in a consistent order. (1) Receiving professional support for social problems. (2) Engaging with others through participation in socially prescribed activity. (3) Learning different ways to relate to other people and developing new skills. (4) Changing perceptions by realising personal assets and becoming open to the possibility of new futures. (5) Developing a positive outlook on the present and moving forwards in pursuit of future goals and better health.

Conclusion: Socially prescribed activity appears to benefit individuals by a process that begins with personalised professional help to address social problems and moves through engagement with activities and others, to the recognition of personal and social assets and opportunities.