There is a growing body of evidence that social prescribing can lead to a range of positive health and wellbeing outcomes. Studies have pointed to improvements in quality of life and emotional wellbeing, mental and general wellbeing, and levels of depression and anxiety.

A Social Prescribing pilot will be established in County Mayo in an effort to examine the effects of such a programme in a rural setting. The Cultural and Creative team at Mayo County Council has proposed linking with Tacú Family Resource Centre to deliver the project. It is proposed to aim the pilot programme towards teenagers and young adults. Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the mental health of children and adolescents.

Tacú Family Resource Centre, based in Ballinrobe, currently works with young people aged from 12/13 to 25, through a variety of projects and initiatives, including (but not limited to): Youth Booth, its affordable counselling service, after-school project, and drug & alcohol family support. The Centre has recently engaged a youth link worker for a year-long position, and it is anticipated that the Social Prescribing Pilot could be initiated in the Ballinrobe area and then rolled out further to other areas in Mayo.

It is proposed to run a six-week taster schedule of activities which will commence in November. This will serve to explain Social Prescribing to the young people in the catchment area and show them the types of activities which can be accessed.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.