Podcast on Prescription National Academy for Social Prescribing

In this podcast we hear Shiv's story, who came to acting through Outside Edge Theatre Company, when he was in the depths of an addiction and dependency problem. But it was the first step of many that lead to his recovery and the happy, healthy life he leads today.  


It’s stories like Shiv’s that show that sometimes it’s non-medical interventions that can make the most fundamental difference. If you are interested to know more about the groups and organisations like Outside Edge in your area, ask your GP practice for a referral to a link worker.   

In this episode we hear Linda's story. Her life was turned upside down after losing her husband, she had barely left home without him for decades. An avid traveller, she was just beginning to find her feet, and take solo trips abroad when COVID-19 trapped her inside.  


Linda found out about ‘Walk and Talk’ along Fleetwood seafront through a local Social Prescriber – Wendy. Wendy persuaded her to go along on the walk and soon she was out every week.  


It’s normal to be nervous to try something new. But there are social prescribers like Wendy to walk with you every step of the way and people like Linda to welcome you when you get there. If you need support, speak to your local GP surgery about social prescribing in your area. It might even change your life.  

In this podcast we hear Evrill's story, she found lockdown hard. Stuck in her house in Manchester, she couldn’t do any of the things she used to love: singing, dancing, spending time with her family and her church community.


After spending some time talking to a link worker - explaining how she was feeling – they referred her to a community music organisation called String of Hearts.


Social prescribing can be that helping hand needed to take us from isolated and lonely to happy and fulfilled. If you aren’t sure what changes you need to make your life happier and healthier, speak to your GP surgery ask for an appointment with a link worker. 

Social Prescribing Show 2023


In this special episode of Podcast on Prescription, Dr Radha looks back at this year's highlights from the Social Prescribing Show. This episode features recordings and interviews from panellists and guests.


We held our second annual Social Prescribing Show at the Southbank Centre, London, to mark Social Prescribing Day,


It was a chance for medical professionals, link workers, voluntary sector staff and funders to discuss how we can work together to push social prescribing forward, to improve the health of our communities in the UK and worldwide.


This year, we were delighted to welcome Charlotte Osborn-Forde, NASP's incoming CEO, to give the keynote speech.


Social Prescribing Day is annual celebration of those who make social prescribing possible. 

What is the evidence for social prescribing? 


In this special episode of Podcast on Prescription, Dr Radha discusses the evidence base for social prescribing with two of the UK’s leading experts, Professor Helen Chatterjee and Dr Marie Polley.


There is a rapidly growing body of evidence around social prescribing, and at NASP we’re working with leading academics to bring this together and produce easily digestible summaries of high-quality research.


 Helen and Marie co-lead our International Evidence Collaborative, which includes more than 260 experts in eight countries. They have played a key role in writing many of the evidence reviews on our website.

How can our interaction with nature help support our wellbeing?


Our ultimate episode of season 2 of Podcast on Prescription welcomes a host of wonderful guests, all with different backgrounds and expertise surrounding nature, social prescribing, and the impact it can have on our health and happiness.


Dr. Radha's first guest is Michael Perry aka The Plant Geek. Michael has been listed in the Sunday Times as one of Britain's 'Top 20 Most Influential Horticulturalists'. He champions the role that gardening and plants can play in keeping us well.


Our second guest is Amanda Craig, Natural England's Director of People and Nature. She oversees their Connecting People with Nature programme, which focuses on tackling barriers to nature and inequalities in access to nature.


Our next guest is Pam Warhurst. Pam chairs Incredible Edible CIC, supporting and amplifying the work of groups around the UK., developing a new localised partnership model where citizen and anchor both play their parts in creating a healthy local food economy, and pressing for a change in the law giving the citizen the right to grow food in the public realm.


Our final guest, Dr. Richard Claxton is a GP based in Kent, he is a GP trainer and sits on the Kent Local Medical Committee. He advocates for the benefits that gardening and horticulture have both for himself and for his patients.