Characteristics of social prescribing project evaluations
| Project information | Referral activity | Participants in evaluation (excluding health professionals and link workers) | Facilitator/coordinator skills and training | Activities patients referred to by social prescribing facilitator/coordinator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project name, location: Amalthea project, Avon Author, year: Grant, 2000 Date project established (or time period of evaluation): Aug 1997 to Sep 1998 Type of evaluation: randomised controlled trial | Referred to link worker: N=90 Attended link worker appointment: 71/90 (79%) Attended a prescribed activity/services: not reported GP surgeries involved: N=26 | Approached to participate: N=168 Agreed to participate: N=161 (90 randomised to intervention; 71 randomised to control) Participants in the control group received routine care from their GP Included in evaluation analysis: 69% of 90 for intervention an 67% of 71 for control followed up at 4 months | Three project facilitators from different backgrounds were trained and supervised by the organisation | Voluntary sector contacts available: National Schizophrenia Fellowship; Counselling on Alcohol and Drugs; Alcoholics Anonymous; Overeaters Anonymous; Local eating disorders group; Triumph over Phobia; Womankind; Counselling Network; CRUSE; RELATE; Befrienders International; Local carer support group; Princess Royal Trust for Carers; Royal British Legion; Crisis; Migraine Trust; Local assertiveness training group; National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children; Multiple Sclerosis Society; Disability Living Foundation; British Trust for Conservation Volunteers; Citizens Advice Bureau; Local meet a mum association; local toddler group; local social group for the elderly; University of the Third Age; Brunelcare; Battle against tranquillisers; Women's Royal Voluntary Service |
| Project name, location: Connect project, Carlisle Author, year: Maughan, 2016 Date project established (or time period of evaluation):Oct 2011 to Mar 2014 Type of evaluation: controlled before and after study | Referred to link worker: not reportedAttended link worker appointment: N=30 Attended a prescribed activity/services: not reported GP surgeries involved: N=1 | Approached to participate: not reported Agreed to participate: N=59 (30 in intervention group; 29 in control group) Participants in the control group received routine care from their GP Included in evaluation analysis: 28/30 (93%) in intervention; 29/29 (100%) in control | Non-healthcare staff, provided with brief training about local services, completing questionnaires and managing risk. Not reported | Available services across third, public and private sectors, self-help, self-management resources, educational, leisure and recreational facilities and fitness-, health- and exercise-related activities. Example given: The Eden Timebank, a skills exchange and social network where members earn credits for helping another member or the wider community. |
| Project name, location: Rotherham Social Prescribing project Author, year: Dayson, 2014 Date project established (or time period of evaluation): Apr 2012 to Mar 2014 Type of evaluation: uncontrolled before and after study | Referred to link worker: N=1607 Attended link worker appointment: not reported Attended a prescribed activity/services: not reported (1118 people were referred onwards to other funded voluntary and community sector services) GP surgeries involved: N=29 | Approached to participate: not reported Agreed to participate: not reported Included in evaluation analysis: i. Hospital episode data analysis: N=451 followed up at 6 months; N=108 followed up at 12 months (of which n=42 referred on to a funded voluntary and community service provider) ii. Well-being outcomes analysis: 280/819 followed up at 3–4 months | Not reported. | Information and advice; community activity; physical activity; befriending and enabling |
| Project name, location: Dundee Equally Well Sources of Support Author, year: Friedli, 2012 Date project established (or time period of evaluation): Mar 2011 to Jun 2012 Type of evaluation: uncontrolled before and after study | Referred to link worker: N=123 Attended link worker appointment: 61/123 (50%) Attended a prescribed activity/services: 26 out of 26 referred to an activity attended that activity (119 link worker referrals were made into 47 different community services or groups) GP surgeries involved: N=1 | Approached to participate: not reported Agreed to participate: not reported Included in evaluation analysis: N=16 | Not reported. | Community based information, support and/or activities |
| Project name, location: Graduate Primary Care Mental Health Worker Community Link Scheme, north London Author, year: Grayer, 2008 Date project established (or time period of evaluation):NR Type of evaluation: uncontrolled before and after study | Referred to link worker: N=255Attended link worker appointment: N=151 Attended a prescribed activity/services: 58% attended at least one of the services suggested GP surgeries involved: N=13 | Approached to participate: N=151 Agreed to participate: 108/151 Included in evaluation analysis: N=75/108 followed up at 3 months | Psychology graduates with some voluntary clinical experience but no formal mental health training. Inhouse training and supervision from two clinical psychologists. Not reported. | Community resources identified through searches of paper and electronic directories, telephone enquiries and other sources. |
| Project name, location: Well-being Programme at Wellspring Healthy Living Centre, Bristol Author, year: Kimberlee, 2014 Date project established (or time period of evaluation): May 2012 to Apr 2013 Type of evaluation: uncontrolled before and after study | Referred to link worker: Unclear Attended link worker appointment: N=128 Attended a prescribed activity/services: not reported GP surgeries involved: not reported | Approached to participate: N=128 Agreed to participate: N=128 Included in evaluation analysis: i. Health and well-being outcomes N=70 followed up at 3 months ii. GP attendance data N=40 12 months before and after baseline | Not reported | Peer support groups, creative arts, physical activities, cooking courses, complementary therapies |
| Project name, location: Age Concern, Yorkshire and Humber Author, year: Age Concern, 2012 Date project established (or time period of evaluation): Apr 2011 to Sep 2011 Type of evaluation: descriptive report | Referred to link worker: N=55 Attended link worker appointment: not reported Attended a prescribed activity/services: not reported GP surgeries involved: N=12 | Approached to participate: unclear Agreed to participate: unclear Included in evaluation analysis: not reported | A skilled member of Age UK staff | Age UK services including: befriending, day clubs, luncheon clubs, information and advice, benefit checks, trips, theatre outings, computer training, advocacy, legal advice, will-writing service, volunteering, Fit as a Fiddle classes, art groups, memory loss services |
| Project name, location: ConnectWell, Coventry Author, year: Baines, 2015 Date project established (or time period of evaluation): Aug 2014 to Aug 2015 Type of evaluation: descriptive report (with qualitative element) | Referred to link worker: N=39 Attended link worker appointment: 24/39 (62%) Attended a prescribed activity/services: not reported GP surgeries involved: N=4 | Approached to participate: not reported Agreed to participate: not reported Included in evaluation analysis: N=5 | Volunteers attend group training session then inductions for specific role. Additional training offered eg, mentoring, dementia awareness. Supervised by WCAVA | Befriending, lunch club, advice and information services, housing/homelessness services, counselling, sport, art, volunteering, support group, social activities |
| Project name, location: Newcastle Social Prescribing Project Author, year: ERS Research and Consultancy, 2013 Involve North East, 2013 Date project established (or time period of evaluation): Jan 2012 to Mar 2013 Type of evaluation: two descriptive reports (one with qualitative element) | Referred to link worker: N=124 Attended link worker appointment: 87/124 (70%) Attended a prescribed activity/services: not reported GP surgeries involved: N=6 | Approached to participate: not reported Agreed to participate: not reported Included in evaluation analysis: N=9 | Existing staff member in each VCSO with knowledge of local community and services, LTCs. Skills and attributes specified. | Support with personalised goal setting and buddying, self-care and signposting to information, advice and support through an agency: Age UK; HealthWORKS; Newcastle Carers; Search; West End Befrienders |
| Project name, location: CHAT, south and west Bradford Author, year: Woodall, 2005 Date project established (or time period of evaluation): Established 2004 Piloted Jan 2005 to Sep 2005 Type of evaluation: descriptive report (with qualitative element) | Referred to link worker: N=81 Attended link worker appointment: not reported Attended a prescribed activity/services: not reported GP surgeries involved: N=3 | Approached to participate: not reported Agreed to participate: not reported Included in evaluation analysis: N=10 | Non-clinical Health Trainers, a public health workforce supported by the DH | Local community and voluntary services. |
| Project name, location: CHAT, south and west Bradford Author, year: South, 2008 Date project established (or time period of evaluation): May 2005 to Oct 2006 Type of evaluation: qualitative study | Referred to link worker: N=223 Attended link worker appointment: not reported Attended a prescribed activity/services: not reported GP surgeries involved: not reported | Approached to participate: not reported Agreed to participate: not reported Included in evaluation analysis: N=10 | Non-clinical Health Trainers, a public health workforce supported by the DH | Community and voluntary sector groups and services such as: Luncheon clubs; Befriending groups; Social services; Volunteering organisations; Getting back into work groups; Literacy classes; Debt advice; Access bus; Bereavement groups; Reminiscing groups; Arts and craft groups; Music groups |
| Project name, location: Health Trainer and Social Prescribing Service, south and west Bradford Author, year: White 2010 Date project established (or time period of evaluation): Established 2006 (evolved from CHAT) Jan 2010 to Sep 2010 Type of evaluation: descriptive report (with qualitative element) | Referred to link worker: N=484 Attended link worker appointment: not reported Attended a prescribed activity/services: not reported GP surgeries involved: N=21 | Approached to participate: not reported Agreed to participate: not reported Included in evaluation analysis: N=12 | Non-clinical Health Trainers, a public health workforce supported by the DH | Local voluntary and community sector social groups and support agencies. Health trainer can develop personal health action plan. |
| Project name, location: Doncaster Patient Support Service Author, year: Faulkner, 2004 Date project established (or time period of evaluation): April 2001 to February 2002 Type of evaluation: qualitative study | Referred to link worker: 200 Attended link worker appointment: N=132 Attended a prescribed activity/services: not reported GP surgeries involved: N=1 | Approached to participate: 17 patients and 9 volunteers Agreed to participate: Patients: N=11 Volunteers: N=9 Included in evaluation analysis: Patients: N=11 Volunteers: N=9 | Volunteers given 3-day training including basic counselling knowledge and skills, team building strategies and visits from community services they might refer people to. Ongoing training and supervision provided. | Facilitated access to services providing: advice on disability services, advice on nursing homes; alcohol support; benefit issues; family/matrimonial support; family support for drug users; advice on housing/social services; legal issues (eg, The Women's Centre; Mind; Relate; Alcohol and Drug Advice) |
| Project name, location: WellFamily service in Hackney* Author, year: Longwill, 2014 Date project established (or time period of evaluation): First established 1996; Period of evaluation: 2012–13 Type of evaluation: descriptive report (with qualitative element) | Referred to link worker: N=1466 Attended link worker appointment: N=1089 Attended a prescribed activity/services:N=712 GP surgeries involved: N=32 | Approached to participate: not reported Agreed to participate:Not reported Included in evaluation analysis: GAD-7, PHQ-9: N=387 Patient survey: N=92 respondents (out of active caseload of ∼120) GP survey: N=27 respondents (out of 160 surveyed GPs) | Family action workers and senior practitioners with a variety of skills and experience. Some with undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in counselling, group therapy, medicine and psychotherapy. Family Action counsellors—professionally qualified and under regular supervision | Short-term counselling, advice and practical support. Local voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector services. Other social and health services such as debt counselling, housing departments and health services |
| Project name, location: ‘New Routes’, Keynsham (Bath and North East Somerset) Author, year: Brandling, 2011 Date project established (or time period of evaluation):2-year pilot established October 2009 Type of evaluation: descriptive report (with qualitative element) | Referred to link worker: N=90 Attended link worker appointment: not reported Attended a prescribed activity/services: N=42 GP surgeries involved: N=3 | Approached to participate: Not reported Agreed to participate: Not reported Included in evaluation analysis: WEMWBS completed at 6–12 months N=7 MYMOP2 completed at 6–12 months N=12 Qualitative interviews N=21 | Coordinators role modelled on Amalthea project13 Skills and training not reported | 46 different types of organisations and activities were part of the pilot. Most popular activities: volunteering; befriending; walking groups; art groups |
CHAT, Community Health Advice Team; DH, Department of Health; GP, general practice; GAD-7, General Anxiety Disorder-7; LTC, Long Term Condition; MYMOP2, Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile; NR, not reported; PHQ-9, Patient Health Questionnaire-9; VCSO, Voluntary Community Sector Organisation; WCAVA, Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action; WEMWBS, Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale.