Over 4,000 people in Lincolnshire now accessing social prescribing

We tend to think of a prescription from the doctor as physical medicine - but people in Lincolnshire are starting to be prescribed social activities instead.

From gardening to walking groups, figures show for the 12 months to March last year over over 4,500 people accessed social prescribing.

Theresa Cansdale works for the Lincolnshire Voluntary Partnership and helps people find the right activities for them - she says the benefits are life-changing," It takes away the emotional impact of being lonely, and they begin to enjoy life again," she said.

"They begin to thrive. It has that positive impact on their physical well being.

"So they don't go to the GP so much. They're making new friendships, and with those friendships they don't just meet at these groups, they start meeting outside the groups."

Loneliness can have a major impact on health, increasing the risk of anxiety and depression but also heart disease and strokes.

"So they present to maybe A&E or the GP, and that's something they can't really fix," said Theresa.

"So they refer their patients to the social prescribing service.

"We start off asking them what matters to them, what's important for them. Some people may just want to go to a coffee morning and a chat.

"Other people may want to go to arts and crafts group, a reading group, start looking at their physical fitness."

Walking groups are a population activity when social prescribing. The time outdoors, plus light exercise and non-pressured conversation means people feel many rewards.

Nick Grimshaw is from Skellingthorpe Strollers near Lincoln, they meet every Thursday morning, "Walking makes you feel well alive again, really," he said.

"It's just so fulfilling, and everybody benefits from a bit of exercise.

"Most of the people on the walk ask where they've been afterwards, because they're so busy talking to each other and sorting the lives problems out."