Social Prescribing Policy, Technology, Potential & Practice
[Radical Health Festival | Helsinki, Finland 🇫🇮
At the Radical Health Festival in Helsinki, the Global Social Prescribing Alliance (GSPA) convened a timely and energising session exploring how social prescribing is evolving from innovation to system-level delivery — and what it will take to scale it sustainably across countries and communities.
🌍** Social Prescribing – Policy, Technology, Potential & Practic**e brought together policymakers, practitioners and system leaders to reflect on where social prescribing is today, and where it must go next if it is to fulfil its promise of truly people-centred care.
The session was hosted as part of Radical Health Festival’s programme, with Gareth Presch, CEO of the Global Social Prescribing Alliance and Founder & CEO of the World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS), who also sits on the Advisory Board of Radical Health Festival, supporting the event’s mission to reimagine the future of health.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us in Helsinki, and especially to our outstanding panellists Cristina Vaz de Almeida, Harris Beider, Robert Dean and Begoña San José, PhD, for a rich and grounded discussion that connected global ambition with local reality.
From promising innovation to core health infrastructure
A central theme of the session was clear: social prescribing is no longer peripheral. Across multiple health systems, it is increasingly being recognised as a core pillar of prevention, integrated care and population health.
The panel explored how national and regional policy frameworks are critical to embedding social prescribing at scale — not as a pilot or add-on, but as part of mainstream health and social care delivery. Alignment with prevention strategies, primary care reform and wider social policy was highlighted as essential for long-term sustainability.
Reflecting on this shift, Gareth Presch noted:
“Social prescribing represents one of the most important transitions in modern healthcare — moving from treating illness to enabling wellbeing. What we are seeing globally is a recognition that health is created in communities, not just clinics. The challenge now is scaling this with integrity, investment and impact.”
Technology as an enabler — not a replacement
Another key focus was the role of digital platforms, data and AI in supporting social prescribing pathways. From referral systems and outcome tracking to improving access and equity, technology has enormous potential — when designed ethically and inclusively.
Speakers emphasised that digital tools must strengthen, not replace, human relationships. Trust, co-design with communities, and transparency in how data is used are fundamental if technology is to support person-centred care rather than undermine it.
What’s working on the ground
Crucially, the discussion stayed rooted in real-world practice. Link workers, community organisations and local ecosystems were repeatedly recognised as the backbone of effective social prescribing.
The session highlighted that success depends on:
- Strong local partnerships
- Sustainable funding for community infrastructure
- Workforce development and support for link workers
- Genuine recognition of the value of voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations As Gareth Presch reinforced during the session:
“If we want social prescribing to work at scale, we must value the community sector as essential health infrastructure. Link workers and community organisations are not ‘nice to have’ — they are fundamental to prevention, resilience and long-term system sustainability.”
Looking ahead: the full potential of social prescribing
Looking to the future, the panel explored the expanding role of social prescribing in:
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Healthy ageing
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Mental health and wellbeing
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Reducing loneliness and social isolation
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Climate-conscious and nature-based care As health systems face rising demand, workforce pressures and widening inequalities, social prescribing offers a way to shift from reactive care to preventative, relational and community-based models of health.
A shared message from Helsinki
The discussion in Helsinki reinforced a powerful shared message:
Social prescribing is no longer an optional extra — it is becoming a core component of modern health systems.
The opportunity now is to move faster, learn together across borders, and ensure that policy, technology and practice evolve in step.
Next stops on the global social prescribing journey
🇳�� 18 February – National Social Prescribing Group with Norway 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eNmmCW5C
🌍** 26 Marc**h – Social Prescribing Day �[� https://lnkd.in/er9AcWMf
✨ 17 July – Global Social Prescribing Summit 🔗[ https://lnkd.in/e3c3HBGU
Thank you to our speakers, partners, and the growing international community driving this work forward. Together, we are building healthier communities by connecting care to what truly matters in people’s lives.