A unique opportunity for churches to relieve some challenges for the NHS

A new report by Theos and the Good Faith Partnership explored the unique opportunity for faith groups in the rebuilding of the National Health Service and how churches can positively contribute to social prescribing in England. 

Social prescribing involves linking individuals to community-based activities, which can enhance their well-being and provide preventative support. The report’s findings point to practical ways to foster a beneficial relationship between healthcare providers, social prescribers and faith groups. 

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It is no secret that the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, has a big task. According to the IPSOS, 28% of Brits saw the NHS/​healthcare as the most important issue impacting their voting. With differing reports, such as Lord Darzi’s 2024 report detailing the shortcomings of the healthcare system and the Covid-19 pandemic bringing the NHS to breaking point, the British public took to the ballots knowing the NHS needed saving. But it is now up to the government to find a plan of action. 

When discussing the Health and Adult Social Care Reform, Wes Streeting has presented the concept of the new neighbourhood health service. Its primary focus will be on building up community and primary care services to keep patients healthy and out of the hospital, with care options in their homes and local communities. The hope is that this shift towards neighbourhood-level care can support wellbeing, prevent ill-health and tackle health inequalities that exist in the current healthcare system. 

It will be social prescribers who play a key role in locating appropriate support for those in need. As they look for solutions to well-being and societal issues that are present in NHS appointments, they are in demand of services and resources that can provide answers to people’s well-being concerns. 

If anyone has watched Call the Midwife, you will know the positive impact a neighbourhood health service could have and the interesting space for faith groups to get involved. Whilst we might not all be nuns or midwives in central London, we are all members of churches reaching out into the community to make an impact for Jesus. 

The issues being tackled by the NHS’s social prescribers are also key areas of outreach and community support provided by faith-led initiatives. These are issues that the local church is innovating on and tackling daily. 

Faith groups have extensive experience in offering holistic and welcoming community-based activities, with most activities already being open to the community. Whether run by volunteers or paid staff, most already have the funding, support and capacity to reach the community. From toddler groups to loneliness cafes, food banks, housing support and debt advice, churches are at the forefront of tackling key societal challenges today. 

The report’s finding recognises the pivotal role faith groups have in well-being support, not only as a response but also as a preventative measure. 

Social prescribers often know about referrable activities and services offered by faith groups in their local area. However, middle-level managers do not strategically push engagement or collaboration with faith groups, making it unclear for social prescribers whether they can recommend their services or not. Many relationships between healthcare professionals and faith leaders were established during the Covid-19 vaccine rollout but are now nonexistent. 

Secondly, the report noted that both the NHS and faith groups have very distinct communication styles and language. This has previously caused both to be cautious in establishing relationships. 

Health care has complicated procedures and often uses medical language. Faith-based organisation can find their procedures and language difficult to navigate. However, the church can misunderstand the role of a social prescriber. While they work with healthcare, their purpose is to provide holistic answers. 

On the other hand, healthcare professionals have also highlighted that language can be a barrier in fostering relationships with faith-based organisations. Faith-based organisations have a distinct language and can be perceived by healthcare professionals as pushing faith or ​‘trying to convert’. 

Fundamentally, social prescribers and faith groups both take a holistic approach in helping those in need. Through the fostering of honest and open communication, different languages styles can be understood. A balance must be found and agreed on between faith groups and social prescribers; while we cannot hide our faith, longevity in these relationships is necessary to see real community transformation and freedom in the lives of those in need. 

The local church offers some helpful resources that more people need to know about and have access to. We need to make it known that the work of the church extends beyond Sunday morning. 

Some of the ideas for collaboration outlined in the report include using activities already being provided by faith groups to provide preventative and wellbeing care. It suggests establishing GP chaplains to provide a service of listening and pastoral care. Roundtable events provide a safe place to brainstorm preventative initiatives outside of the GP surgery and in the community, using faith group spaces. 

1. Get to know your local social prescribers; this information can be found here.
2. Inform your local social prescribers of programmes you are already facilitating or volunteering within the local area and invite them to come along and check them out.
3. Collaborate with other church and faith leaders to see what services are being provided and how you can support each other.

For further inspiration, check out our Stories of Hope. They are a collection of publications highlighting member churches and organisations doing incredible work to transform their local communities.