National Social Prescribing Groups: A Global Opportunity to Improve Health and Wellbeing
Around the world, health systems are facing growing pressures. Rising demand, limited resources, and widening health inequalities highlight the urgent need for new approaches that focus on prevention, wellbeing, and community-based solutions. One such approach is social prescribing—and it’s gaining global momentum.
Under the auspices of the Global Social Prescribing Alliance** (GSPA)**, governed by WHIS CIC UK, new National Social Prescribing Groups (NSPGs) are being established to help countries and regions scale this movement.
What are National Social Prescribing Groups?
Each NSPG brings together partners from across health, social care, academia, community organisations, and the private sector. The goal? To create healthier, more resilient communities by making social prescribing a core part of population health strategies.
These groups will not only share knowledge and best practices, but also act as consortia to design, secure, and deliver projects, including exploring innovative financing models such as outcomes-based contracting.
A Platform for Collaboration
By aligning efforts and resources, NSPGs give diverse partners the chance to work together on solutions that make a measurable difference. They also create a national platform for innovation, ensuring that community-driven initiatives are connected to wider health and wellbeing strategies.
“The launch of National Social Prescribing Groups is a significant step forward in building healthier, more resilient communities. By bringing together partners from across sectors, we are creating a powerful platform for innovation and collaboration. Social prescribing has the potential to transform health systems, reduce inequalities, and improve lives. Through the Global Social Prescribing Alliance, NSPGs also gain access to international networks, knowledge exchange, and innovative funding models to support this important work.” — Gareth Presch, CEO of the Global Social Prescribing Alliance and Founder of the World Health Innovation Summit
This UNGA Week, we’re proud to launch National Social Prescribing Groups (NSPGs) under the auspices of the Global Social Prescribing Alliance (GSPA), governed by WHIS CIC UK.
Local Priorities, Global Networks
While each NSPG will set its own national or regional priorities, they will also benefit from access to GSPA’s global frameworks, resources, and networks. This balance allows local solutions to thrive while drawing strength from international collaboration.
To ensure long-term impact, members of each NSPG commit to a minimum three-year collaboration period, building stability and shared accountability into the model.
The initiative is closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, reflecting a worldwide commitment to prevention and holistic approaches to health.
Why It Matters Globally
The establishment of NSPGs is more than a health policy innovation—it’s an invitation to join a global movement. Through the GSPA, countries and organisations can:
- Collaborate across sectors to co-create and deliver social prescribing initiatives.
- Access global knowledge exchange and proven models.
- Explore innovative financing such as outcomes-based contracting.
- Strengthen community resilience through non-clinical, wellbeing-focused interventions. In short, NSPGs offer a framework for transforming how health systems respond to today’s challenges, helping societies shift from illness treatment to wellbeing promotion.
What is Social Prescribing?
Social prescribing is a way of connecting people to community-based, non-clinical support to improve health and wellbeing. This can include:
- Volunteering
- Arts and cultural activities
- Exercise groups
- Financial or housing advice By addressing the wider social and environmental factors that influence health, social prescribing empowers individuals and communities to thrive.
🌍** The Global Social Prescribing Alliance (GSPA**) is a global movement advancing social prescribing, housed within WHIS CIC UK.
Call to Action
Countries and organisations interested in exploring the establishment of a National Social Prescribing Groups or partnering with the Global Social Prescribing Alliance are encouraged to contact Gareth Presch at gareth@whis.world.