Virtual Event

Social Prescribing and Community Connection

Your church could play a key role in social prescribing - helping older people access welcoming, wellbeing-boosting activities in your community.

Event date March 23rd, 2026

Speaker: Esther Platt

Across the country, many churches offer activities that are open to everyone. Whether lunch groups, seated exercise classes, choirs or befriending, much of our ministry to older people in our communities is open for those of all faith and none. Social Prescribing was introduced to the NHS in 2019. A Social Prescribing Link Worker is often based at a GP surgery. They meet with patients who have a need that cannot be met by clinical intervention alone. This can include loneliness, low mood or need for advice and guidance around issues such as debt, housing or family support. The Social Prescribing Link Worker helps this individual to connect with community activities that may improve their wellbeing. This can include activities run by your church.

At this webinar, we will share some of the insights from our report 'Creating a Neighbourhood Health Service: the role of churches and faith groups in social prescribing' and provide some suggestions on how to connect with your local Social Prescribing Link Worker so that they can signpost older people to your activities. This is a great way to bless more people in our community who may not know about your church.

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About the speaker

Esther Platt

Senior Consultant at the Good Faith Partnership

Esther spends most of her time on the ChurchWorks Commission and has a passion for connecting the church with government health and wellbeing initiatives. She is the co-author of two research reports in this area, 'Creating a Neighbourhood Health Service: the role of churches and faith groups in social prescribing' and 'A Place of Living: the role of heritage buildings on community wellbeing in a 'decade of renewal''. Esther believes that the support and love offered by the church can be transformational for individuals and communities and that current policies such as Neighbourhood Health provide exciting opportunities for statutory services and the church to partner. She cares about holistic health and sustainable, human-centered public services and loves to make new friends!