Around 1 in 5 visits to a primary care doctor are for problems that cannot be addressed clinically – issues such as loneliness, social isolation, financial hardship or inadequate housing that no prescription alone can resolve. Social prescribing is a response to this reality. It connects people to non-clinical, community-based activities and support – from walking groups and volunteering to arts programmes and debt advice – to address the wider social determinants of health. By linking health services to community resources, social prescribing aims to improve population health, reduce inequalities and relieve avoidable pressure on overstretched health systems.
A new WHO collaborating centre
WHO has designated the United Kingdom’s National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Social Prescribing Policy and Development. The designation recognizes NASP’s leading role in advancing social prescribing internationally and marks a new chapter in global collaboration to strengthen health systems through community-based approaches.
The Centre will be headed by Dr Bogdan Chiva Giurca, NASP’s Global Director and Clinical Lead. It builds on NASP’s existing work supporting governments and partners in more than 36 countries. As a WHO collaborating centre, NASP will provide technical support to WHO Member States in sharing global best practice, contribute to building the evidence base for social prescribing, and assist countries in developing and implementing social prescribing mechanisms and policies.
United Kingdom’s experience leading the way
The United Kingdom was the first country to embed social prescribing within national health policy. More than 3300 link workers now operate across the country, with over 1 million people referred to social prescribing services each year. Emerging evidence suggests that the approach can improve well-being, strengthen community resilience and reduce avoidable pressure on health services.
Andy, 56, has been supported by Nuneaton and Bedworth Primary Care Network social prescribing team and connected to a range of local groups and activities. He said: “About 8 months ago, I was really struggling with my mental health and chronic pain, and it was blatantly obvious to me that pills alone were not the solution. Social prescribing has been, quite simply, a lifesaver and a godsend. It gave me options, purpose and people around me when I needed it most”.
Growing momentum across the European Region
Interest in social prescribing is growing rapidly across the WHO European Region. “Social prescribing offers a powerful means of addressing the social determinants of health,” said Nils Fietje, Technical Officer (Culture and Health) at WHO/Europe. “A rising number of countries in the European Region are now exploring various social prescribing mechanisms, and our partnership with NASP will allow us to better support Member States on their implementation journey.”
Innovative examples are already emerging across the Region. In Greece, the Ministry of Culture has launched a national art-on-prescription programme connecting people experiencing mental health challenges with activities in cultural institutions across the country. After 2 pilot phases over 4 years, with over a thousand participants and involving 21 organizations, the arts on prescription project illustrates how museums, film institutes, opera houses and other cultural centres can play a meaningful role in improving mental health and well-being.
Building a global network
NASP’s designation follows that of SingHealth Community Hospitals in Singapore, which in December 2024 became the first WHO collaborating centre for social prescribing. Together, the 2 centres will help advance a global network of knowledge-sharing and technical support on social prescribing across WHO regions.
Charlotte Osborn-Forde, Chief Executive Officer at NASP, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be designated as a WHO collaborating centre. This recognition reflects the importance of social prescribing as an evidence-based, inclusive approach which empowers patients, and strengthens health systems and communities”.
Launch of the centre
The WHO collaborating centre was formally launched on 26 March 2026 at a parliamentary reception hosted at the House of Commons, London. The event, sponsored by Dr Beccy Cooper, Member of Parliament, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Global Health, brought together parliamentarians, health professionals and international partners to mark the designation and showcase the impact of social prescribing in the United Kingdom and around the world.