National Academy for Social Prescribing receives £5 million funding
The National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) has received £5 million funding from Government to help people stay connected, feel supported, and maintain their health and wellbeing.
Working with partners, including Arts Council England, Natural England, Money and Pensions Service, NHS Charities Together, Sport England and NHS England will enable the Academy to increase funding and support local community activities.
The funding will connect people to initiatives in their local communities to improve their mental health and wellbeing in response to the impact of COVID-19, including improved green spaces, singing and physical activities as well as access to tailored debt advice.
The academy is working with organisations to develop projects including:
- football: Newcastle United Foundation ‘Be a Game Changer’ programme and ‘12th Man’ programme which work to support men with mental health issues
- Art by Post: created under lockdown, the Southbank Centre sends free creative activity booklets to people across the UK who are living with dementia and other chronic health conditions
- improved green spaces: link workers refer and connect people to their local wildlife and wider activities including food growing, healthy cooking, wildlife gardening, environmental art and crafts, music workshops, and beekeeping
- singing: English National Opera (ENO) have partnered with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust to devise an integrated 6-week pilot programme of singing, breathing and wellbeing aimed at supporting and enhancing the recovery of COVID-19 survivors
- money advice – the Money and Pensions Service and Mental Health UK have created a Money Support Pack for people who need support with their mental health as a result of COVID-19
To read the full press release, please click here.
