Report on some action research in the implementation of social prescription in Crawley. Paths to greater wellbeing: ‘sometimes you have to be in it to get it’

The practice of Social Prescribing as a means of enabling improved quality of life, especially those with long term conditions, is still a ‘work in progress’. Using appreciative action research methods, practitioners involved in commissioning or providing social prescription services can learn important lessons from the experience of citizens/patients who have made successful moves towards greater wellbeing. Most significantly, the rich inquiry conversations that take place between patient and practitioner strengthen the confidence of both parties, deepen practitioners’ connection with their core work, and cement the roles of both patient and professional as joint co-producers in generating improved quality of life. Learning to inquire appreciatively into what has enabled people to overcome challenges and take positive steps towards their wellbeing goals, also has a powerful personal development impact (for both parties). Patients and practitioners can thus contribute to the small but growing body of knowledge on what works in social prescription and can thereby positively influence their respective social and professional networks.