East of England trainees learning the value of social prescribing

Over 40 foundation doctors and pharmacists in training from the region took part in a day of activities at Thetford Forest to better understand the health benefits of social prescribing.

Social prescribing connects people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs linked to their health and wellbeing.

On the day at Thetford participants took part in range of activities commonly used with patients including taking on part of the wellbeing trail. Later in the day the group used a Dragons Den style task to develop their own ideas about social prescribing interventions and pitch them to other participants.

The day was an opportunity to increase knowledge of social prescribing, and the associated physical and mental health benefits, to help incorporate it into in their plans for treating patients.

The day also had an added benefit of improving the trainees’ own health and wellbeing.

The Enhance programme supports the development of generalist skills with the capability to adapt the needs of their patients and work across traditional disciplinary and speciality boundaries.

Feel Good in the Forest, run by Forestry England, is a programme of activities for people with mild-to-moderate health conditions, or who are looking to improve their health and wellbeing through outdoor activities, exercise and social interaction.

Participants at the training were positive about their learning saying:

“Taking part in social prescribing activities really highlighted the benefits and how it can be beneficial for patients.”

“I will definitely encourage not just my patients but also my colleagues to get more fit and active.”

“I am keen to partner with different organisations in the future to focus on improving population health and disease prevention.”