The projects are supported by the National Academy for Social Prescribing’s (NASP) flagship Thriving Communities Fund, which supports local voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise projects that bring together place-based partnerships to improve and increase the range and reach of available social prescribing community activities. 

NASP has committed £1.8m to supporting communities to recover from Covid-19 along with its partners, which include Arts Council England, NHS England and Improvement, Sport England, Natural England, Historic Emgland, the Money & Pensions Service and NHS Charities.

“Social prescribing works because it encourages people to think about what health and wellbeing means for them, and directs them to activities that allow this,” says Jim Burt, director of programmes at NASP.

“For many, football is something that brings a lot of benefit, and we’re delighted to support these innovative social prescribing activities which are supporting individuals and communities not only recover from the pandemic, but enhance their health for the long term.”

Examples include the You Trust, which is working in collaboration with Pompey in the Community (PitC), the charity of Portsmouth Football Club. PitC has developed a range of programmes and workshops that combine sport, physical activity, training and wellbeing to develop community cohesion. The charity uses the passion of football to engage with the most vulnerable and hard to reach members of our community. As part of the Thriving Coastal Communities project they offer a 10-week walking football programme for men over 50 who have a love for the sport.  

In Yorkshire, Happier Healthier Heeley Plus is working with Sheffield United Community Foundation which runs football sessions for different members of the community for physical, social and mental wellbeing benefits. 

“Football is something everyone can join in with to feel better – the rising popularity of walking football means that more people can revisit or begin a love of sport in a way that works for them,” says Ruth Nutter, creative producer and project co-ordinator at Heeley Trust.