Blue social prescribing refers to the practice of connecting individuals with water-based activities and environments such as rivers, lakes, oceans, and wetlands to improve mental, physical, and social wellbeing. Whether it’s open-water swimming, coastal walking, kayaking, or riverside volunteering, these interventions are increasingly recognised for their ability to reduce anxiety, improve mood, and promote physical activity, while fostering a deeper connection to the natural world.
At the heart of blue social prescribing is the same personalised care ethos that defines the broader social prescribing model: link workers and trusted professionals engaging in “what matters to you” conversations to connect individuals with meaningful, non-clinical support rooted in the community and natural environment.
Why Blue Matters
Globally, there is mounting evidence that proximity to water and participation in blue activities can enhance health outcomes. Studies have shown:
- Improved mental health through exposure to coastal and freshwater environments.
- Stress reduction and lower cortisol levels associated with time spent near or in water.
- Greater levels of physical activity compared to land-based environments due to the unique sensory and immersive nature of water-based spaces.
- Social cohesion and reduced loneliness through group-based aquatic activities. Markus Müller, Chief Investment Officer ESG, Deutsche Bank
*“Investing in nature-based solutions like green and blue social prescribing is not just a moral imperative it is an economic one. These interventions enhance social capital, reduce healthcare costs, and build resilience in the face of climate and biodiversity crises. Finance must recognise the value of wellbeing as a form of sustainable capital.” *
Natural England’s 2022 summary (“EIN065–EIN068”) highlights that blue spaces often provide even more profound mental health benefits than green spaces, particularly for underserved or urban populations with limited access to nature.
Blue Prescribing in Action – International Examples
United Kingdom Building on the momentum of the Cross-Government Green Social Prescribing Programme, blue initiatives have become integral in several regions. In Bristol, social prescribing includes Nordic coastal walking to connect ethnic minority communities with water-based wellbeing. In South West England, open water swimming groups are now prescribed to individuals with mild to moderate depression as part of NHS pathways.
Australia Coastal cities such as Sydney and Perth have embedded “blue therapy” into community health offerings. Local councils partner with surf life-saving clubs and swimming instructors to deliver programmes for veterans, migrants, and those recovering from trauma.
Nordic countries In Finland and Norway, lake and forest immersion (sometimes called “blue-green therapy”) is central to preventative public health programmes, particularly among the elderly and those with cardiovascular risk factors.
United States Organisations like Blue Mind Health advocate for the integration of blue spaces into healthcare, citing neuroscientific evidence that water has a calming, restorative effect on the brain. Several pilot programmes in California and Floridanow prescribe kayaking and beach walks for veterans and those with PTSD.
Dr. Heidi Albert, Head of the One Health Cities Centre, ICLEI
“Green and blue social prescribing are transformative tools for cities striving toward climate resilience and community health. By integrating access to natural and water-based environments into public health strategies, we not only support wellbeing but also nurture urban ecosystems and sustainability. As we localise the SDGs, these approaches offer real, scalable impact at the intersection of health, equity, and environmental stewardship.”
Tools and Resources
To scale blue social prescribing effectively, the GSPA supports:
- Toolkits and templates for integrating blue activities into clinical and community settings.
- Training for link workers and blue sector providers to co-design safe, inclusive interventions.
- Evidence-building partnerships with academic institutions to deepen understanding of blue space health impacts.
- Policy alignment with sustainable development goals (especially SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing & SDG 14: Life Below Water).
A Message from GSPA CEO, Gareth Presch
*“Blue social prescribing offers an extraordinary opportunity to merge planetary and human health. By reconnecting people with water—our most vital and life-giving element—we reduce loneliness, build resilience, and nurture a shared responsibility to protect our natural ecosystems. It’s a prescription not only for better health but for a more compassionate and sustainable world.” *— Gareth Presch, CEO, Global Social Prescribing Alliance
Looking Forward
As healthcare systems around the world seek low-cost, high-impact approaches to prevention and wellbeing, blue social prescribing represents a powerful solution. The GSPA calls on global health leaders, urban planners, and environmental organisations to join forces in expanding access to blue spaces—especially for those most at risk of poor health outcomes.