Christian Duffin examines the work of a pilot project that seeks to improve the wellbeing of people living with and beyond cancer

Social prescribing provides GPs and other healthcare professionals with a non-clinical referral option for patients to improve their quality of life and wellbeing. Referrals to community groups and voluntary services may include physical activity, art classes or gardening, or work and welfare advice. There is some evidence that social prescribing benefits patients and can reduce their reliance on healthcare services. This article is based on interviews with staff at a pilot social prescribing project in east London, developed by the Bromley by Bow Centre and Macmillan Cancer Support. Cancer nurses at Barts Health NHS Trust, who are referring people living with and beyond cancer to the project, explain that it may complement holistic needs assessments and care plans that help to identify patients’ emotional, practical and social needs.