SOCIAL prescriptions in the Cam and Dursley area have been expanded with the launch of a new initiative.

Helped by a number of community groups, including World Jungle and GL11 Community Hub, a launch event for JoyN – a collaboration between Barnwood Trust and Dursley GP Simon Opher – was held in the centre of Dursley on Monday for the new scheme which is designed to improve health.

JoyN is a simple way for people to find out about things happening in the area that they might also find out about through ‘social prescribing’ – a method of linking people to activities and groups that they might benefit from.

Pill-style packets full of cards of local activities and groups are now on display at May Lane Surgery and can be collected free of charge and include information about a wide range of events and activities.

It is hoped that through social prescribing, instead of prescribing medication, doctors are prescribing connections to things such as art groups, gardening clubs and book groups. Research has shown that this approach is beneficial to people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Sally Byng, chief executive at Barnwood Trust, said: “We think that social prescribing is a great way not only for people to help themselves when they might not be feeling at their best, but also to meet new people and do something they enjoy.

“We hope that this approach to promoting social prescribing will work really well in Cam and Dursley and that we will be able to do something similar in other areas across the county.”

Dr Opher MBE is a big supporter of social prescription having previously given his backing to allotment initiatives at Vale Community Hospital.

He said: “I have been a GP in Dursley for over 20 years now and still love being a family doctor.

“We are lucky in Cam and Dursley to be brimming with great organisations that people can get involved with.

“Exercising, be that walking or going to the gym or playing football is essential. Dancing, doing yoga or gardening has enormous potential to make us all healthier. Music, both listening and playing, can be a transformative experience."