Abstract
Introduction
Inequalities in the distribution and access to cultural, natural and community assets is known to have an impact on the health outcomes of vulnerable groups. The Scotland’s Population Health Framework 2025-2035 sets the current Government’s priorities to improving people’s health for the next decade. The development of a National Social Prescribing Framework is one of the actions in progress. Social prescribing is a holistic, person-centred and community-based approach that bridges the gap between clinical and non-clinical supports to improve health, wellbeing, and community connections of different groups.
Aim
This study aims 1). to co-create social prescribing pathways for vulnerable groups; 2). to understand how people in recovery from substance use, navigate the healthcare system, and 3) how social prescribing supports ongoing efforts to address the health and well-being needs of people in recovery.
Methods
Focus groups, semi-structured interviews and a knowledge exchange workshop programme on social prescribing for vulnerable groups were conducted with people in recovery and attending community gardens projects, policy makers, and health and social care professionals working with social prescribing. The method used to analyse the data was thematic analysis.
Results/Discussion
The results were linked with the development of a collaborative playbook for reimagining healthcare systems that integrate community assets and lived experience. Key themes included: a) the need to refocus health agendas around prevention; b) the need of flexible frameworks for social prescribing ; c) The importance of measuring and validating the impact of new/successful approaches on social prescribing; d) The need to connect research work to policy change; e) the need for effective social prescribing workforce planning, training, and development.
Conclusion
The process of mapping and developing sustainable social prescribing pathways is complex. It requires flexibility, inclusivity, transparency, financial support, constant reassessment, and adaptation to specific needs and contexts.
Inequalities in the distribution and access to cultural, natural and community assets is known to have an impact on the health outcomes of vulnerable groups. The Scotland’s Population Health Framework 2025-2035 sets the current Government’s priorities to improving people’s health for the next decade. The development of a National Social Prescribing Framework is one of the actions in progress. Social prescribing is a holistic, person-centred and community-based approach that bridges the gap between clinical and non-clinical supports to improve health, wellbeing, and community connections of different groups.
Aim
This study aims 1). to co-create social prescribing pathways for vulnerable groups; 2). to understand how people in recovery from substance use, navigate the healthcare system, and 3) how social prescribing supports ongoing efforts to address the health and well-being needs of people in recovery.
Methods
Focus groups, semi-structured interviews and a knowledge exchange workshop programme on social prescribing for vulnerable groups were conducted with people in recovery and attending community gardens projects, policy makers, and health and social care professionals working with social prescribing. The method used to analyse the data was thematic analysis.
Results/Discussion
The results were linked with the development of a collaborative playbook for reimagining healthcare systems that integrate community assets and lived experience. Key themes included: a) the need to refocus health agendas around prevention; b) the need of flexible frameworks for social prescribing ; c) The importance of measuring and validating the impact of new/successful approaches on social prescribing; d) The need to connect research work to policy change; e) the need for effective social prescribing workforce planning, training, and development.
Conclusion
The process of mapping and developing sustainable social prescribing pathways is complex. It requires flexibility, inclusivity, transparency, financial support, constant reassessment, and adaptation to specific needs and contexts.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 23 Apr 2026 |
| Event | National Workforce and Education Conference 2026: Collaborate. Innovate. Transform: Delivering change towards improving health, social care and other public services in Scotland - online Duration: 23 Apr 2026 → 24 Apr 2026 https://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/events/national-workforce-and-education-conference-2026-collaborate-innovate-transform-delivering-change-towards-improving-health-social-care-and-other-public-services-in-scotland/ |
Conference
| Conference | National Workforce and Education Conference 2026 |
|---|---|
| Period | 23/04/26 → 24/04/26 |
| Internet address |
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
-
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Knowledge exchange programme on social prescribing for vulnerable groups: mapping barriers and facilitators to the development of sustainable social prescribing pathways'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.-
Flourish: co-designing a nature-based programme to support people in recovery
Lim, C., Grant, S., Rodriguez, A., More, K., Chilcot, K., McAllistair, J., Thomas, E., De Andrade, M., Radley, A., Dillon, J. & Mossey, P., 26 Feb 2026.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
-
Green prescribing and inclusion health: a systematic search and thematic synthesis of barriers and facilitators to green prescriptions reported for those experiencing health inequalities
Thomas, E., More, K., Lim, C., Rodriguez, A., Mossey, P. & Grant, S., 4 Dec 2025, PROSPERO.Research output: Working paper › Preprint
Cite this
- APA
- Author
- BIBTEX
- Harvard
- Standard
- RIS
- Vancouver