Social prescribing
Supporting wellbeing beyond our own services
As a registered charity operating across England and Wales, The Healing Hubs provides links to trusted social prescribing services and community resources to help people find the wider support they need.
What is social prescribing?
Social prescribing is a way for GPs, nurses, and other primary care professionals to refer people to a range of local, non-clinical services. It recognises that people's health is affected by a range of social, emotional, and practical needs — not just medical ones.
A link worker or social prescriber takes time to get to know you as a whole person. Together, you explore what matters most to you and find activities, groups, and services that can help — from community groups and befriending to practical support with housing, benefits, or bereavement.
Social prescribing works alongside, not instead of, medical treatment. It is available through many GP surgeries across England and Wales and can be accessed by anyone who feels they would benefit from extra support.
Did you know?
Social prescribing is now available in every GP surgery in England through Primary Care Networks. Ask your GP or practice nurse about a referral to a link worker.
The Healing Hubs
Our role in social prescribing
The Healing Hubs is a registered charity (No. 1201382) providing befriending and community services across England and Wales. Alongside our own services, we recognise that many of the people we support need access to a much wider range of help than we can provide directly.
That is why we have brought together a directory of trusted community groups, NHS services, and specialist charities — organised by county across England and Wales — so that anyone who comes to us, or who finds us online, can find the additional support they need in their local area.
We are not a social prescribing service ourselves, but we are committed to making it as easy as possible for people to find one. The resources on this section of our website are provided as a free public service, in the spirit of the social prescribing movement.
Areas where social prescribing can help
Loneliness & isolation
Connecting with others through community groups, befriending, and shared activities can make a profound difference to mental and physical health.
Mental health & wellbeing
Peer support, creative activities, and time in nature are all shown to reduce anxiety and depression and build resilience.
Practical support
Help navigating benefits, housing, debt, and other practical challenges that affect health and quality of life.
Long-term conditions
Living well with a long-term condition is easier with the right community support, information, and peer connection.
Bereavement & loss
Grief affects us all differently. Social prescribing can connect you with bereavement support, counselling, and compassionate communities.
Purpose & meaning
Volunteering, learning, and creative pursuits give people a sense of purpose that is just as important as physical health.
Find support in your area
We have compiled two free resources to help people across England and Wales find social prescribing support and community services near them.
Want to know more about our services?
If you or someone you know is lonely or isolated, our own befriending and community services may be able to help directly. Get in touch to find out what is available in your area.