How social prescribing and tools like the Joy app can help your music group reach new members and support community wellbeing.
Part of the NHS Personalised Care programme, social prescribing allows GPs and local agencies to refer people to a ‘social prescribing link worker’, who takes a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. They then connect people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support. Find more information on this NHS England page.
There are two main reasons why it might be of interest to your music group
Many of you are passionate about bringing the benefits of music making to as many people as possible.
At the same time, you may be looking to involve more people from your community in your group, so this could potentially be a way to reach new people who might not otherwise consider singing or playing an instrument in a group to be for them.
But there are challenges
Firstly, the service it is a bit of a postcode lottery. Is it a link worker, social prescriber or what title are you looking for? Are they attached to GP surgeries in your area or to an organisation such as the Citizens Advice Bureau?
Secondly, what does the social prescriber understand about the nature of music groups in their area and their potential benefits for referrals? There is currently no standard training for social prescribers, so their prescribing could be down to personal experiences, which may or may not include, for example, singing.
And that’s before you get contacted about a referral and work out how to accommodate that new person into your group. For this, we have, in partnership with the Singing for Health Network, created resources to help you prepare.
To note: you would be unlikely to receive referrals for serious health issues, unless that was specifically in your objectives (e.g. singing for lung health). But it’s always worth pointing out to a social prescriber that you look to them for information on any adjustments the referred person may need.
You cannot know everything about the range of conditions of patients who are referred to you; and even if you ‘knew’ about autism, no autistic person is like another, no person with a disability is like another, etc... So ask for full information before accepting someone.
Another note: as an instrumental or promoting group, you may think social prescribing is not for you because you need people who join to be able to play an instrument to a specific level, or your activity is about putting on concerts.
But remember things like loneliness, depression or chronic pain – all typical conditions which may trigger social prescription – can affect anyone including those who play an instrument (or used to) or enjoy attending music events. If a referred person can’t play, they might love to attend your rehearsals or concerts; perhaps eventually growing into a volunteering role, such as helping set up refreshments during breaks or steward at events. In short, you all have much to offer people seen by a social prescriber.
And some good news
One of the challenges with social prescribing is how groups can get noticed by social prescribers in their area. Typically, you would track down the social prescriber, meet with them or invite them to your group, and explain what you do.
There’s now another way, too, via the Joy app. This digital tool is used by 30% of Primary Care Networks (local healthcare coordinators in England), and you list your group as a potential referral recipient.
Even if your area doesn’t use the app, it’s worth adding your group anyway. Then if you speak to a social prescriber in your area, you will have a place to point them with all the information about you already listed.
Before you start, consider these things:
- Do you have a safeguarding policy? Making Music has a template for you to start from
- Identify a named volunteer to be the contact for the social prescriber and referred person
- Can you only take a new person if they are funded or can pay for themselves? Would you be able to waive fees if necessary?
You are unlikely to be swamped by referrals, so could afford to pilot this without impacting your usual activity. Please share any benefits or challenges with us, so we can help and/or inform fellow members.
In summary, social prescribing may initially look difficult and time consuming, but it would be fantastic to bring the well-researched benefits for individuals of singing or playing music in a group to more people, especially those who may be experiencing particular challenges and need them most.
Making Music has just made a submission to the consultation on the next 10 year plan for NHS England, emphasising the role our members could play in the success of social prescribing and in the prevention of ill health, if signposting to music-making was done with as much vigour as it is to physical activity.
Add your group to the Joy app
