USW and PHW launch glossary to simplify social prescribing language

The University of South Wales (USW) 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 emphasizes community connections and empowerment, an initiative that marks a significant step towards improving health and well-being outcomes, for people across Wales and beyond.

Dr Simon Newstead, Senior Research Assistant at the Wales School for Social Prescribing Research (WSPPR), based at USW and funded by Health and Care Research Wales, said: “Social prescribing uses a person-centred approach to connect individuals to their communities, with the aim of helping them to better manage their health and wellbeing".

“At the heart of social prescribing is the concept of a ‘what matters’ conversation’ which helps individuals to identify, not only the challenges that 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. 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.

“To the best of our knowledge, this evidence-based glossary of terms is a world-first for social prescribing.”

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.

"We wanted to make social prescribing more accessible and usable to everybody and that's why we created an easy-read version of the glossary and website (www.splossary.wales) that houses both versions of the glossary and includes features like animations, interactive mind-maps, and bilingual functionality," said Dr Newstead.

WSSPR obtained additional funding from USW to develop the easy-read version (in conjunction with Learning Disabilities Wales) and the website (in conjunction with Wales Institute of Digital Information).

Image credit: Mental Health Foundation, Erin Trembley