22/01/2026
Social Prescribing Works!
We often talk about the benefits of social prescribing, and now we have the numbers to back this up!
A major new national study has offered the strongest evidence yet that social prescribing genuinely improves people’s wellbeing and does so quickly, consistently, and across all kinds of communities.
Drawing on data from more than 300 social prescribing sites and up to 19,627 patients across the UK, researchers analysed what happens to people’s wellbeing in the months after they are referred to non-medical community support. This includes activities like singing groups, arts programmes, gardening, volunteering, walking groups, and other local opportunities that help people feel connected and supported.
The results are striking.
Within just 1 to 6 months of being referred to social prescribing, people reported:
- Better mental wellbeing (SWEMWBS ↑ 3.31 points).
- Higher happiness (↑ 1.59 points)
- Higher life satisfaction (↑ 1.57 points)
- A stronger sense of life being worthwhile (↑ 1.4 points)
- Lower anxiety (↓ 1.45 points)
The SWEMWBS scale is a short, trusted questionnaire that measures someone’s overall mental wellbeing, from how positive and confident they feel to how well they’re coping day to day.
And these are meaningful changes. They reflect people feeling more connected, more confident, more purposeful, and less overwhelmed.
Importantly, the improvements were seen across all ages, backgrounds, and locations. Whether someone lived in a city or a rural area, was younger or older, or came through a medical or community referral route, the benefits were broadly similar.
The study also translated wellbeing improvements into economic terms using the UK Treasury’s wellbeing valuation method. A 1.57 point rise in life satisfaction over 2.5 months equates to £4,252 of wellbeing value (2019 prices). Given that a typical social prescribing referral costs £466, this means: Every £1 invested in social prescribing returns around £9 in wellbeing benefits.
That is a powerful case for long-term funding, especially at a time when the NHS is under pressure and communities need more preventative, human-centred support.
Social prescribing recognises something simple but often overlooked: health is not just medical. Loneliness, stress, lack of purpose, and disconnection all take a toll. Activities like singing, gardening, walking, or joining a community group can help people feel better in ways that tablets alone cannot.
This study shows that when link workers and medical professionals connect people to these kinds of activities, wellbeing improves quickly and meaningfully.
It also shows that social prescribing works for a wide range of people, not just specific groups or specific types of activities.
For organisations like Playing for Cake, this research is a gift. It provides national-scale evidence that:
- Community-based arts and music activities improve wellbeing
- Benefits appear within weeks
- Improvements are consistent across demographics
- Social prescribing offers excellent value for money
- Singing, music, and shared creativity are legitimate parts of a modern health system
It strengthens the case for sustainable funding, deeper partnerships with link workers, and recognition of community music as a core part of neighbourhood health.
The study’s message is clear: social prescribing works. It helps people feel better, reduces anxiety, boosts confidence and connection, and offers exceptional value for money. As the NHS continues to shift toward more preventative, community-based care, social prescribing, including singing and creative activities, is becoming an essential part of the picture.
And for anyone who has ever felt the lift of singing with others, none of this will come as a surprise. It simply confirms what people have known for thousands of years: we heal better when we are connected.
Reference:
Bu, F., Hayes, D., Munford, L., & Fancourt, D. (2025). Assessing the impact of social prescribing on wellbeing outcomes: A national analysis of UK data. medRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.09.25.25336621
