This year, the SCO launched Concerts on Prescription, an initiative working with Community Link Workers to help people access live orchestral music as part of wider support for their health and wellbeing. Now established in Edinburgh and Glasgow, the programme will shortly expand to Perth and Aberdeen, reaching more people and communities across Scotland.

To shed some light on social prescribing and the role that arts and cultural experiences can play in supporting our health and wellbeing, we spoke to Alison Leitch, Assistant Services Manager for the Edinburgh Community Link Worker Service.

For someone coming across the term for the first time, what is social prescribing?

Social prescribing is a person-centred approach that recognises that what keeps us well is more than medicine. Often what someone needs isn't another prescription—it's someone to listen, help them navigate what matters to them and connect them with the right support. Social prescribing helps people find those connections through community-based activities, services and support that can help address these wider determinants of health.

Could you tell us more about how social prescribing can help people in need of these connections?

Social prescribing is about asking 'what matters to you?' rather than ‘what is the matter with you?’. By taking the time to understand a person's interests, strengths and goals, it can help empower them to make decisions and identify opportunities that can improve their lives.

For some people, it may be finding support during a difficult period in their lives. For others it might mean volunteering, joining a local group or learning a new skill. Through these opportunities, people can develop new friendships, build confidence and become more involved in their communities.

Feeling connected and having a sense of belonging are fundamental to good health and wellbeing. Social prescribing can help create those connections whilst reducing the loneliness and isolation that many people experience.

How is it delivered in practice?

In Scotland, social prescribing is mainly delivered via Community Link Workers (CLWs) based in GP practices. It is estimated that around 80% of practices have access to a CLW. They work alongside individuals to understand what is important to them and help them access appropriate support. Issues such as housing instability, poverty, mental health and loneliness can have a significant impact on people’s health.

Looking specifically at music, the arts and cultural experiences, how do they fit within social prescribing?

Arts and culture can play an important role in health and wellbeing. Music, creative activities and cultural experiences provide opportunities for connection, improving general wellbeing and meeting others who may have similar experiences.

What makes them particularly valuable within social prescribing is that they appeal to people in different ways. For some, attending a concert, taking part in a singing group, visiting a museum or joining a creative workshop can lift their mood, improve sleep, or rediscover an interest which may have been lost due to life events.

Arts and cultural experiences can also bring communities together, creating shared experiences that foster connection and a sense of belonging.

Let’s look at a couple of these in more detail. For someone experiencing isolation, low confidence or changes in their health and wellbeing, what difference can attending a concert make?

It can provide an opportunity to get out of the house, experience something enjoyable and provide a distraction to everyday life. Music has a unique ability to bring people together and create moments of connection, even among strangers.

What about taking part in creative activities?

They can help people rediscover interests and talents that may have been lost during periods of illness, caring responsibilities or significant life challenges. They can build confidence and provide a sense of achievement that may have been missing for a while.

Through my work in social prescribing, I have seen how seemingly small opportunities can act as a stepping stone to wider positive changes in people's lives. For someone experiencing loneliness or low confidence, taking that first step and attending an activity can be a huge achievement. A single experience can lead to new friendships, increased confidence and a renewed sense of purpose.

What do you see as the challenges of providing social prescribing in Scotland?

We already have a wealth of cultural organisations, creative practitioners and community initiatives delivering great work across the country. The challenge is ensuring that these opportunities are sustainable, accessible and visible to both communities and professionals working within health and social care.

Looking ahead, what would you like to see happen to make music and cultural opportunities a more established part of social prescribing in Scotland?

I would like to see arts, culture and music recognised as part of Scotland's wellbeing infrastructure rather than an optional extra.

Life can be extremely difficult, with many people struggling to meet basic needs. Wherever possible we need to work collaboratively to ensure barriers to accessing arts and culture are removed or reduced so that opportunities are inclusive and wellbeing is truly person led.

I would also like to see stronger partnerships between the health sector and cultural organisations, along with greater investment in general community-based provision. This would help ensure that people can access meaningful opportunities regardless of where they live or their circumstances. These hopes reflect the direction set out in the Scottish Government’s Population Health Framework 2025-35:

Realising our vision for a Scotland where people live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives can only be achieved through shared responsibility across all sectors. It will require the collective efforts of government at all levels alongside the support of the NHS, businesses and the community and voluntary sector and all of society.

Community organisations are often better able to engage people who may be furthest from accessing public services, or who have frequent engagement with services due to their level of need. Social prescribing provides an important bridge between the NHS, local government and the voluntary sector, ensuring more people can access community support that benefits their health and wellbeing.