Simplifying social prescribing language in a world-first glossary of terms

Dr Simon Newstead, Senior Research Assistant at the Wales School for Social Prescribing Research (WSSPR), funded by Health and Care Research Wales, has partnered with Public Health Wales (PHW) to develop a glossary of terms to help clarify and standardise the terminology used in social prescribing.

Social prescribing is an approach to healthcare that emphasises community connections and empowerment, an initiative that marks a significant step towards improving health and wellbeing outcomes, for people across Wales and beyond. At the heart of social prescribing is the concept of a "what matters conversation" which helps individuals to identify, not only the challenges they face but also what is important to them personally. Through these conversations, social prescribing practitioners, also known as link workers or community connectors, can co-produce an action plan with the individual before connecting them to relevant services or groups within their communities.

Dr Simon Newstead said:

"By empowering individuals to engage with their communities, social prescribing not only strengthens the wellbeing of individuals but also fosters community resilience.

“Unfortunately, the terminology that is used in social prescribing is diverse and confusing, with multiple terms used to describe the same specific aspects of social prescribing.

We wanted to make social prescribing more accessible everybody and that's why we created the glossary and website."

This professional-facing glossary, for use alongside the national framework for social prescribing, serves as a valuable resource for practitioners, commissioners, and those whose professional roles bring them into contact with social prescribing.

WSSPR has also developed an easy-read version which more accessible and usable to the public that includes animations, interactive mind-maps and bilingual functionality.