Thrive Social Prescribing

Challenge

It is well-evidenced that 80-90% of health outcomes such as quality and length of life are influenced by socioeconomic and environmental factors. However, traditional medical care continues to be the most prevalent solution for people with long-term health conditions like diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Approximately 20% of the UK population is estimated to live with long-term health conditions, the treatment for which accounts for nearly 80% of NHS expenditure.

Approach

Thrive.NEL is an outcomes-based partnership in Northeast Lincolnshire focused on achieving shared goals – in this case, the improved health and wellbeing of individuals living with long-term health conditions (LTCs).

The programme connects participating local residents to social activities like gardening, walking clubs and volunteering, while also offering practical support through social welfare, money management, and dietary advice. This approach is known as ‘social prescribing’ and offers an alternative to traditional medical care, leveraging community initiatives and services to enhance long-term health and independence.

The delivery organisation, Centre4, manages a team of Link Workers who engage with individuals referred to the programme. Together, with participants, they formulate an action plan to empower them to improve their lifestyle habits, engage in activities, and build new social connections. This holistic approach fosters greater community engagement and encourages participants to adopt a more positive, resilient attitude towards challenges, leading to an overall improvement in their wellbeing and lifestyle.

Revenue model

Thrive.NEL is a social prescribing programme commissioned by the Northeast Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group (NEL CCG) and the National Lottery Community Fund.

The programme has been commissioned using an outcomes-based model, whereby Bridges Outcomes Partnerships (BOP), a not-for-profit social enterprise, facilitates programme design and delivery in partnership with Centre4. Socially motivated impact investors – coordinated by BOP – provide the up-front funding necessary to deliver the programme, and commissioners repay this funding based upon measurable improvements in the lives of participants.

This approach creates a clear focus on achieving better outcomes for individuals; gives delivery organisations the flexibility they need to innovate and tailor their support; and ensures that taxpayer funds are used only for effective, high-quality services.

Impact

To date, over 2,000 individuals have embarked on their Thrive journey, with 990+ still in the programme after at least one year. By the end of the programme, 92% of participants reported significant improvements in their wellbeing. Out of a sample, those who completed the programme also showed a marked reduction in their NHS usage, particularly concerning hospital admissions during the years they were involved.

Thrive.NEL highlights the value of social outcomes partnerships, or social outcomes contracts, showing how they not only create meaningful change in communities and address complex needs, but also ensure much better value for taxpayers’ money. To date, the programme has achieved £2.9 million worth of outcomes for the government.