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Biomedical

Self-growth, wellbeing and volunteering - Implications for social prescribing: A qualitative study

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Amadea Turk,

Amadea Turk

Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford,

amadea.turk@phc.ox.ac.uk


Stephanie Tierney,

Stephanie Tierney

Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford,

amadea.turk@phc.ox.ac.uk


Geoff Wong,

Geoff Wong

Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford,

amadea.turk@phc.ox.ac.uk


Joy Todd,

Joy Todd

Gardens, Libraries and Museums, University of Oxford

amadea.turk@phc.ox.ac.uk


Helen Chaterjee,

Helen Chaterjee

Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, UCL Biosciences

amadea.turk@phc.ox.ac.uk


Kamal Mahtani

Kamal Mahtani

Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford,

amadea.turk@phc.ox.ac.uk


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© attribution CC-BY

  • 0

rating
1836 Views

Added on

2022-03-08

Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmqr.2022.100061

Related Subjects
Anatomy
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Epidemiology
Genetics
Neuroscience
Psychology
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Pediatrics
Pathology
Pharmacology
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Abstract

Volunteering - the giving of time and support, without expectation of payment, for the good of others, a community or organization – may bring about benefits to health and wellbeing. Formal volunteering may be considered as part of a social prescription to which link workers may refer patients. This paper explores the role that volunteering may play as part of social prescribing by considering the impact it can have on health and wellbeing and highlighting factors that link workers may need to consider when connecting patients to volunteering opportunities. We conducted interviews with 22 museum volunteers to explore how volunteering affected their physical and emotional wellbeing, and consider the potential consequences of these experiences for social prescribing. We analysed the interviews using thematic analysis to develop a descriptive model of how volunteering may influence health and wellbeing through encouraging self-growth. Our analysis highlights that volunteering can provide “enabling environments” and opportunities for “stretch” and can contribute to people's health and wellbeing by improving their “sense of self”, “connection to others”, and “sense of community”. Our findings have implications for the use of volunteering as part of social prescribing and for volunteering organizations accepting social prescribing referrals to volunteering. These include the need to recognise the diverse needs of people receiving social prescribing and the need to tailor volunteering offers to these needs, as well as the need for link workers to be aware of the environments and support available to individuals at the volunteering organizations they are being referred to.

Key Question

What is the main focus of this study?

The study examines how volunteering can enhance self-growth and well-being, and discusses its implications for social prescribing.

How does volunteering contribute to health and well-being?

Volunteering provides enabling environments and opportunities for personal development, leading to improved sense of self, connection to others, and sense of community.

What methodology was used in the research?

The researchers conducted interviews with 22 museum volunteers to explore the impact of volunteering on their physical and emotional well-being.

What are the implications of this study for social prescribing?

The findings suggest that volunteering can be an effective component of social prescribing, but it should be tailored to individual needs, and link workers should be aware of the support available at volunteering organizations.

Why is this research significant?

This research highlights the potential of volunteering to promote self-growth and well-being, providing valuable insights for integrating volunteering into social prescribing practices.

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ARTICLE USAGE


Article usage: Mar-2022 to May-2025
Show by month Manuscript Video Summary
2025 May 125 125
2025 April 100 100
2025 March 89 89
2025 February 69 69
2025 January 130 130
2024 December 60 60
2024 November 74 74
2024 October 57 57
2024 September 66 66
2024 August 34 34
2024 July 41 41
2024 June 26 26
2024 May 41 41
2024 April 44 44
2024 March 40 40
2024 February 40 40
2024 January 27 27
2023 December 20 20
2023 November 47 47
2023 October 25 25
2023 September 17 17
2023 August 17 17
2023 July 23 23
2023 June 24 24
2023 May 33 33
2023 April 44 44
2023 March 54 54
2023 February 2 2
2023 January 4 4
2022 December 35 35
2022 November 58 58
2022 October 37 37
2022 September 33 33
2022 August 48 48
2022 July 50 50
2022 June 103 103
2022 May 50 50
2022 April 24 24
2022 March 25 25
Total 1836 1836
Show by month Manuscript Video Summary
2025 May 125 125
2025 April 100 100
2025 March 89 89
2025 February 69 69
2025 January 130 130
2024 December 60 60
2024 November 74 74
2024 October 57 57
2024 September 66 66
2024 August 34 34
2024 July 41 41
2024 June 26 26
2024 May 41 41
2024 April 44 44
2024 March 40 40
2024 February 40 40
2024 January 27 27
2023 December 20 20
2023 November 47 47
2023 October 25 25
2023 September 17 17
2023 August 17 17
2023 July 23 23
2023 June 24 24
2023 May 33 33
2023 April 44 44
2023 March 54 54
2023 February 2 2
2023 January 4 4
2022 December 35 35
2022 November 58 58
2022 October 37 37
2022 September 33 33
2022 August 48 48
2022 July 50 50
2022 June 103 103
2022 May 50 50
2022 April 24 24
2022 March 25 25
Total 1836 1836
Related Subjects
Anatomy
Biochemistry
Epidemiology
Genetics
Neuroscience
Psychology
Oncology
Medicine
Musculoskeletal science
Pediatrics
Pathology
Pharmacology
Physiology
Psychiatry
Primary care
Women and reproductive health
copyright icon

© attribution CC-BY

  • 0

rating
1836 Views

Added on

2022-03-08

Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmqr.2022.100061

Related Subjects
Anatomy
Biochemistry
Epidemiology
Genetics
Neuroscience
Psychology
Oncology
Medicine
Musculoskeletal science
Pediatrics
Pathology
Pharmacology
Physiology
Psychiatry
Primary care
Women and reproductive health

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