Faith groups have always been at the heart of strong, resilient communities. As places of gathering, service, compassion, and connection, churches play a vital role in supporting health and wellbeing. Recognising this unique contribution, the Global Social Prescribing Alliance (GSPA) has continued to champion the role of faith institutions as essential partners in social prescribing, helping to build healthier, more connected neighbourhoods.
An Alliance Rooted in Partnership with Faith Leaders
The importance of faith groups in advancing social prescribing was highlighted from the very beginning. At the launch of the Global Social Prescribing Alliance, the Bishop of Carlisle, alongside the UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, emphasised the vital opportunity for churches to participate in national and global wellbeing efforts.
Since then, the Alliance has expanded its work with Christian, interfaith, and community organisations that share a common mission: supporting people to live well, belong, and thrive.
New Guide Published: How Churches Can Get Involved
A new guide — “How to Engage in Social Prescribing: Faith Leaders” — is now available, alongside the recent Church Times** **feature by Esther Platt (31 October 2025), which explores how churches can get involved in social prescribing. As Platt notes, befriending schemes, coffee mornings, and choirs are examples of socially prescribed activities that strengthen communities.
Faith leaders can also download a printable local-activities fact-sheet template, helping congregations map their contributions and identify new opportunities for action.
All resources are available at: churchworks.org.uk/our-work/wellbeing
Creating a Neighbourhood Health Service
The report Creating a Neighbourhood Health Service further reinforces the role of churches and faith groups as anchor institutions. Whether through warm spaces, food banks, youth programmes, bereavement support, cafés, choirs, walking clubs, or pastoral networks, these community assets are central to social connection and prevention.
Social prescribing enables these strengths to be recognised and integrated into health pathways – linking people to the activities that improve quality of life, reduce loneliness, and support long-term wellbeing.
Global Perspectives: Leadership From the Vatican Commission
GSPA CEO Gareth Presch, who also serves as a member of Pope Francis’s Vatican COVID-19 Commission “Looking to the Future” Group, has continued to highlight the importance of faith-based action in building healthier societies.
His involvement in the Vatican’s global work on care, resilience, and community health reinforces the shared mission of the GSPA: promoting a compassionate, person-centred approach to wellbeing across nations and cultures.
Tools and Resources for Faith Communities
Churches and faith groups looking to deepen their involvement can explore the Global Social Prescribing Alliance Playbook, available at: https://whis.world/gspa
The Playbook offers guidance for practitioners, community leaders, policymakers, and faith organisations seeking practical steps to embed social prescribing in local systems.
Looking Ahead: Key Dates for 2026
The global movement continues to grow, and churches are encouraged to participate in the major events ahead:
- Social Prescribing Day Thursday, 26th March 2026 A global celebration of community-based approaches to health and wellbeing.
- Global Social Prescribing Summit 2026 17th July 2026 https://whis.world/gspa-summit-2026 Bringing together leaders, faith partners, practitioners, governments, and communities to shape the future of global social prescribing.
A Message From Gareth Presch
“Faith communities have always understood that wellbeing begins with belonging. By working together, health systems, churches, and community leaders, we can build neighbourhoods where every person is seen, supported, and empowered to live life to the fullest.” — Gareth Presch, CEO, Global Social Prescribing Alliance
**For more details about the alliance’s work on training and development of programmes contact james@whis.world or gareth@whis.world **