On National Social Prescribing Day, UK Coaching, as part of the Play Their Way campaign are recognising the role of coaches delivering socially prescribed activity to support the mental, physical, and emotional health of young people – amid a concerning increase of poor mental health and growing waiting lists for mental health services.
UK Coaching is spearheading the delivery of the Play Their Way campaign and is proud to be part of the 17-strong Children's Coaching Collaborative (CCC) – a collective of like-minded organisations, who want to create a nation of child-first coaches.
Child-first coaching, where coaches focus on championing every child’s voice, choice and journey in sport and physical activity, aims to ensure positive experiences for every young person through the people who know them best – their coaches. The approach is seen as critical to increasing enjoyment levels for all children and young people and helping them stay active for life but has particular benefits for young people experiencing poor mental health.
Nationally, more children than ever need mental health care as NHS figures show nearly half a million are awaiting treatment.
‘Social prescribing’ has traditionally been used to help adults and older adults find non-medical ways of combating lonliness and stress, but now in young people, mental health and emotional well-being is the most common reason for referrals.
However, an emerging approach of ‘youth social prescribing’, pioneered by CCC partner StreetGames via the creation of a Social Prescribing Youth Network, is now directly supporting many children and young people referred to mental health services - many of whom face long waiting lists, often leading to a deterioration in their mental health.
As part of activity sessions, coaches are collaborating actively with young people to co-create activity that helps them as an individual, embedding a child-first approach to best understand their individual needs and respecting their voice.
The number of children referred to emergency mental healthcare in England has soared by more than 50% in three years – inclusive physical activity, delivered by coaches that take a child-first approach and priortise wellbeing, is now helping young people manage their mental and emotional health and guiding a younger generation to experience the widest benefits of being active.
Speaking at a social prescribing activity session run by yourtrust in Rochdale, Chair of the CCC and StreetGames Director Hannah Crane reflected on the incredible positive difference made to the lives of young people: