NHS COVENTRY AND WARWICKSHIRE MARKS SOCIAL PRESCRIBING DAY BY CELEBRATING COMMUNITY SUPPORT CHANGING LIVES
26 March 2026
NHS Coventry and Warwickshire is marking Social Prescribing Day on 26th March by celebrating the growing number of local people whose lives are being improved through simple community support rather than medical treatment.
What is social prescribing?
Social prescribing helps people get support for things that affect their health and wellbeing, such as loneliness, stress, money worries, or a lack of confidence. Instead of offering medication, GPs and other health professionals can connect people with a Social Prescribing Link Worker. Link workers take the time to listen to the things people are struggling with and then help them find local groups, activities and services that suit their interests and needs.
For many people, this can mean joining a walking group, taking part in creative activities, getting advice about finances or housing, volunteering, or even spending time with therapy animals. The aim is to help people feel more connected, more confident and more in control of their lives.
Social Prescribers across Coventry and Warwickshire are providing personalised support through local GP practices, helping residents access community services and activities that improve their health, wellbeing and overall quality of life.
The Social Prescribing team for Nuneaton and Bedworth Primary Care Network (PCN) have set up a group called Buggy Talk, which allows fellow new parents to socialise whilst getting their steps in. After feeling isolated in her first pregnancy and after having her baby, Lauren went along to the Bedworth session and found she preferred the active, social aspect to traditional baby-focused new parent groups.
Like Lauren, people can often self-refer to groups and activities, or be introduced to them via a Link Worker, like Karen Ashby, Lead Social Prescribing Link Worker for Nuneaton and Bedworth PCN.
Karen said:
“Social prescribing is about supporting people with everyday things like loneliness, isolation, money worries, housing or work issues, things that some people can’t necessarily deal with in the same way as others and that have an impact on their health and wellbeing.
“We are there to listen to people and explore what matters most to them before connecting them with the right support to help alleviate all the issues they are facing, be that local community groups or services.”
In addition to Buggy Talk, Nuneaton and Bedworth PCN also run Walk and Talk, Walking Football, Seated Exercise, Active Sky Blues ,the Pain Café and have recently collaborated with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust to begin offering Gardening and Nature for Wellbeing sessions.
How is social prescribing making a difference?
Across Warwickshire, more people are reporting improvements in their mood, wellbeing and sense of belonging after working with a link worker.
In Rugby, a monthly Pets as Therapy group has been set up in partnership with Health Exchange to offer a calm and welcoming space in place of traditional 121 appointments with health or care professionals or group activities, which some people find intimidating.
Following her husband’s illness with Crohn’s disease, Beatrice felt the group encouraged them to get out of the house and enjoy petting the dogs or watching the bowling club without feeling forced to participate in any activity.
Emma Bond, Primary Care Network Social Prescriber at Clifton Road Surgery, said:
“The group has supported couples, including people living with dementia, by providing a calm and inclusive space where everyone can take part in their own way.
“People often feel able to open up about wider challenges in their lives, allowing support to be offered at the right time.”
Social prescribing is now available through GP practices across Coventry and Warwickshire, and people can also refer themselves to groups and activities, giving thousands of local people access to practical, friendly support close to home.
To find out more about social prescribing in your local area, click here.