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2025-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1191145

Company registration number 12275770 (England and Wales)

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Mr B Gudger
Ms P R Hitchcox
Ms S Metcalfe
Ms G A Palmer
Ms C A Fyfe (Appointed 16 August 2024)
Dr D M Deniszczyc (Appointed 16 August 2024)
Lady A P Ellingworth (Appointed 16 August 2024)
Ms L J Tookey (Appointed 13 March 2025)
Mr E A S Bahaj (Appointed 13 March 2025)
Dr K Hawthorne - Chair (Appointed 25 June 2025)
Charity number 1191145
Company number 12275770
Principal address Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road
London
SE1 8XX
Registered office Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road
London
SE1 8XX
Auditor PKF Littlejohn LLP
15 Westferry Circus
London
E14 4HD
Solicitors DAC Beachcroft LLP
Portwall Place
Portwall Lane
Bristol
BS1 9HS

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

CONTENTS

Page
Foreword- Chair's and CEO's statement 1
Trustees' report 2 - 14
Statement of trustees' responsibilities 15
Independent auditor's report 16 - 18
Statement of financial activities 19
Balance sheet 20
Statement of cash flows 21
Notes to the financial statements 22 - 35

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

FOREWORD

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Government’s new ten-year plan for the health service stresses the need to shift care from treatment to prevention and from hospitals to communities. Social prescribing can play a crucial role in both of these ambitions, as a key feature of the final step in the conversation between healthcare and the public.

Link workers and similar roles have time to support people with the underlying factors that affect their health and wellbeing – from loneliness and isolation to debt, housing problems and other social needs. Our research in 2024-5 has shown how this approach can benefit not just patients but the health service, reducing unnecessary GP appointments, hospital admissions and A&E attendances.

However, social prescribing can only be successful if there is a good range of activities, groups and services to which link workers and other healthcare staff can connect people. That is why we published an ambitious call for joint investment in frontline organisations providing socially prescribed activities and services. Our vision for a National Community Health and Wellbeing Fund was developed in partnership with more than 100 organisations and would be a crucial step towards ensuring more sustainable preventative programmes.

We know that pooling investment works, because of the success of The Power of Music Fund. We are proud to have brought together public, private and charitable funders to support thousands of people living with dementia and carers across the country through music. Through the fund, we have established the UK’s first Centre of Excellence for Music and Dementia, which we hope will gather the evidence needed to secure much wider investment.

Connecting the health system with community organisations remains at the heart of what we do. We managed the extension of the successful cross-Government Green Social Prescribing Programme, which connected people struggling with their mental health to nature-based support, from gardening to walking groups to outdoor therapy. The evaluation demonstrated statistically significant improvements in mental health and wellbeing, in a way that was cost-effective compared to other interventions.

We have directly supported thousands of health and care workers through our webinars, events and resources, as well as our Champions and Innovation programmes. We have explored new frontiers for social prescribing, through research and resources focusing on children and young people, older people, and patients admitted to secondary care.

We also created a new hub to support heritage organisations – such as museums or historic properties – to work more closely with the NHS, and we continue to work with partners across the arts and culture and physical activity sectors, as well as with faith groups.

All of this work is fundamentally related to tackling the factors that drive ill health. If a link worker can help someone with respiratory problems to have the mould removed from their walls, or if a local organisation can support someone who’s chronically lonely to find a sense of belonging and purpose, they are preventing problems from escalating.

As we look ahead to the future, we are hugely grateful to Professor Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard, our first Chair of Trustees, for leading our work from the organisation’s inception, and to Jonathan Badyal for acting as Interim Chair for six months. We look forward to welcoming Professor Kamila Hawthorne to the role and to the development of NASP into a truly national centre for social prescribing going forwards.

We are also grateful for the support of all our partners, including the Department of Health and Social Care, and for their ongoing commitment to advancing health and wellbeing through social prescribing.

Kamila Hawthorne, Chair Charlotte Osborn-Forde, Chief Executive

Dated: .........................2nd December 2025

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The trustees present their report and audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".

Objectives and activities

Social prescribing is the practice of linking healthcare to community-based activities to address individual and community mental and physical health and wellbeing.

The charity’s objects are to advance the study and practice of social prescribing for the public benefit, in particular, but not exclusively, by:

1. Make some noise - raising the profile of social prescribing

In order to expand social prescribing, we need to get the message out there - that connecting people for wellbeing is vital for people and communities.

2. Find resources - develop innovative funding partnerships

We recognise the challenges faced by social prescribing link workers, the local voluntary, community, social enterprise and arts sector and will seek to improve resources to realise their social prescribing goals.

3. Build relationships - broker and build relationships across all sectors

Social prescribing relies on strong, mature relationships at national and local levels across multiple sectors.

4. Improve the evidence - shape and share the evidence base

There is already an evidence base for social prescribing, but it is not comprehensive. We need to build a consensus about what we know and don't know, improve accessibility and visibility of evidence.

5. Spread what works - promote learning on social prescribing

We will share what is good, what has been learnt and draw from multiple sources to ensure continued development of social prescribing.

The National Academy For Social Prescribing ("NASP") works with key partners - such as Arts Council England, Dept. for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Independent Age, Natural England, Rayne Foundation, Sport England and The Utley Foundation – to administrate and manage grants allowing greater reach and deeper engagement in relation to social prescribing. All grant making/giving partners are issued NASP’s partnership agreement detailing key governance, project management and risk mitigation points. All grant making/giving strands of activity must be signed off at Board level too.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

Our vision

Our vision is to help people live the best lives they can through social prescribing.

Our strategy for 2023-26 focuses on five key ambitions.

Connection

A connected social prescribing system enabling easier access to activities and information.

Partnership

Local, national and international partnerships driving innovative ideas and approaches.

Investment

Boosted investment in community activities directly supporting people's health and wellbeing.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Evidence

The best evidence shaping social prescribing policy, practice and research.

Profile

A raised profile of how social prescribing changes lives and strengthens communities.

Highlights from 2024-25

Kelly’s story

Kelly started experiencing difficulties with her mental health following the birth of her second child, was placed under regular care of a Community Psychiatric Nurse and was seeing a psychiatrist every six months. Unfortunately, things got worse following a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, leading to financial trouble for Kelly when she had to retire from work. “ I was struggling with suicidal ideation ” at this time, she says, and she attended A&E and crisis services. Twenty years since she first started experiencing her difficulties, Kelly was referred by her GP to a Mental Health Social Prescribing Link Worker. With their support, she has accessed the financial support she needs, applied for a volunteering role, and has required no further crisis support. “ The support I have received has allowed me to see a way out of a dark place and put positive changes in place ,” she says. “ I feel connected...I feel motivated...I feel more in control of my life. ”

Connection

We are continuing to create a connected social prescribing system, enabling easier access to activities and information. We do this by supporting the social prescribing workforce – including Social Prescribing Link Workers, NHS clinical staff and voluntary sector organisations - and providing advice and support to improve social prescribing systems.

Workforce & Healthcare Integration

In 2024-2025, the Healthcare Integration portfolio of our work has grown significantly focussing on influencing national developments, strengthening clinical leadership in social prescribing, and equipping professionals to embed social prescribing in practice.

Headline Achievements:

Link Worker Advisory Group

We now have 26 active members of our Link Worker Advisory Group (LWAG) who meet on a monthly basis to advise NASP, proactively engage with developing projects, and ensure that the link worker voice is represented in all that we do.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Integrated Care System Engagement

Over the past year, we have built up an engaged Integrated Care Board (ICB) community of practice, with 67% of ICBs represented. Survey respondents rated the usefulness of the community of practice and NASP support very highly, with an average score of 8.9 out of 10. The community aims to increase knowledge, forge stronger networks, and provide practical insights to help ICB leaders drive integration locally. We have also built engagement with Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), Boards and Partnerships across our wider work.

Clinical Engagement Events

Over the past year, increasing awareness and engagement with healthcare professionals has been a key priority. To support this, we have facilitated and participated in a wide range of events, working in partnership with national organisations to deliver high-quality, evidence-based sessions, designed to upskill and educated clinicians across a diverse range of practices and disciplines. This included a half day conference with the Royal Society of Medicine. We also worked closely with PrescQIPP to create a flagship seven-part webinar series that attracted over 1,400 sign-ups from 152 healthcare roles.

Social Prescribing Link Worker Survey

This year we have conducted NASP’s first ever Social Prescribing Link Worker survey, engaging with a total of 411 practising link workers, representing all 42 ICSs. Results will be published in 2025.

Clinical Engagement Strategy Meetings

Another positive development in 2024 is the development of our Clinical Advisory Group, facilitated by Dr Mohan Sekeram. The expert insight provided by the group shaped our future objectives and the mobilisation of our clinical engagement strategy.

Karen, Social Prescribing Link Worker

"I felt it really important to join NASP both as a Social Prescribing Champion and member of the Link Worker Advisory Group. It has given me the opportunity to promote the work that link workers do amongst practices and local community groups, connect with other link workers, and help shape the future direction of social prescribing so that it’s benefits can be spread far and wide.”

Champions

This year, our Social Prescribing Champions network has grown significantly after an official re-launch of the programme. This has resulted in NASP now engaging 296 champions, with 152 active volunteers. Champions represent a wide range of professions, including GPs, nurses, clinical psychologists, Integrated Neighbourhood Team leads, pharmacists, and healthcare directors. All champions commit to promoting social prescribing, sharing NASP resources, and feeding back on their impact.

To date, Champions have extended the reach of our evidence, guidance, and toolkits, strengthening advocacy and practice at local and national levels. Overall, 90% of champions reported influencing the development of social prescribing in their workplace through our support.

Partnerships National Leads

Arts and Culture

As part of our commitment to social prescribing through arts and culture, we appointed Sunita Pandya Malik as our Associate Cultural Strategic Lead in January 2025. The focus of the work has been to ensure NASP is part of key national strategic conversations around Creative Health, working closely with partners such as Arts Council England, the National Centre for Creative Health, the Creative Health and Wellbeing Alliance and the London Arts and Health Forum, as well as developing partnerships with cultural partners of varying scales. We continue to offer insight and support for cultural organisations wanting to connect more deeply and meaningfully into the health and social care system.

We also continued to manage the Power of Music Fund (see Investment section), supporting thousands of people living with dementia through music.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Children & Young People

In 2024-2025, we made significant strides in shaping and strengthening social prescribing for children and young people (CYP). Supported by the Linbury Trust and Same West Foundation, we embarked on an ambitious programme to develop a clear vision for children and young people’s social prescribing. This began with our Big Conversation, which brought together over 100 organisations from across the country – from national charities and local authorities to NHS partners, schools, and community organisations.

From this collaborative process, we developed and published Connected to Thrive, the first national vision for children and young people’s social prescribing. Connected to Thrive sets out how social prescribing can empower young people to access the support they need, build confidence, improve wellbeing, and connect with their communities. It represents a milestone in creating a shared ambition across health, education, and community partners.

Over the year, we also conducted a detailed exploration of the workforce needs across the CYP system. This culminated in the development of a comprehensive training and workforce development report, which sets out clear recommendations to support link workers, practitioners, and wider professionals delivering social prescribing for young people.

Historic Environment

In 2024-2025 the partnership between Historic England and NASP supported further innovation and capacity building in the health, heritage and voluntary and community sectors. The Heritage and Social Prescribing Advice Hub, developed in collaboration with the Heritage and Social Prescribing Community of Practice and the Social Prescribing Link Workers Advisory Group, was launched in March 2025.

Building on the pilots carried out in previous years, the advice hub offers a wealth of resources, evidence and tools to show how heritage can be used for social prescribing. It also includes practical guides for Social Prescribing Link Workers and for heritage practitioners. Further plans include the development of a Heritage and Social Prescribing training for Social Prescribing Link Workers.

Historic England supported the first Heritage Social Prescribing Award as part of the International Social Prescribing Conference in June 2024, which was won by the Heritage Link Worker Project in Great Yarmouth and The Restoration Trust. The Heritage Link worker film, commissioned by Historic England, brought attention to the practical implementation of heritage in social prescribing pathways.

In collaboration with Churchworks, the Good Faith Partnership and the Bishop of London, NASP and Historic England delivered a roundtable event on Faith Communities and Social Prescribing at the House of Lords. Representatives of Government departments, faith groups, Arm's Length Bodies and the NHS, as well as funders and voluntary organisations, agreed on the need to raise awareness about the potential of faith groups to link with social prescribing and neighbourhood health.

The initiative led to a decision to create a national lead for Faith and Social Prescribing at NASP. The partners also came together at the NASP webinar on Faith and Social Prescribing in February 2025, where Churchworks and Theos presented the results of their report Creating a Neighbourhood Health Service: The role of churches and faith groups in social prescribing, as well as practical guides for social prescribers and faith leaders.

Natural Environment & Green Social Prescribing

Between August 2023 and April 2024, we project-managed a one-year extension of the cross-government Green Social Prescribing (GSP) Programme, the evaluation of which will come out at the end of 2025.

In September, the evaluation report from Phase 1, running from 2021 to 2023, of the GSP Programme was published. It showed that the programme had a statistically significant impact on the wellbeing and mental health of participants, in a way that was cost-effective compared to other mental health interventions.

The evidence was presented by the Natural Environment Lead to various forums, such as the Therapeutic Horticulture Stakeholder Group, Green Health Learning Network and Social Justice Academy.

From December 2024, a new Green Social Prescribing Innovation Community began its development, informed by a survey which highlighted the need for networking opportunities across sectors.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Between January and April 2025, NASP ran three webinars showcasing the Green Social Prescribing Programme, as well as an in-person event to celebrate the impact of the programme.

In addition, NASP ran Action Learning Collaboratives with Green Social Prescribing pilot managers as part of the extension phase of the programme with focus on workforce, data, children and young people, mental health, and sustainable funding.

Finally, from December to March 2025, the National Lead engaged in policy mapping across government departments and various arms-length bodies to identify opportunities for GSP to be embedded in forthcoming policies.

Older People

In partnership with Independent Age, we continued with our commission with Reaching People Leicester (RP) and Hastings Voluntary Action (HVA) in 2024. The pilots, which finished in November 2024, sought to explore new social prescribing approaches that integrate financial and social support, creating more inclusive and holistic systems of care for older people facing financial difficulties.

In Hastings, HVA worked with older people and partners on local initiatives that focused on health, wellbeing, and practical financial tips. Outreach in foodbanks, faith groups, and community hubs ensured engagement with those least likely to access social prescribing. Over the course of the year, the Hastings pilot recorded 4,480 contacts, including 245 instances of in-depth support.

In Leicester, Reaching People delivered activities in two contrasting areas - Belgrave and New Parks - with 11,594 contacts during the year.

Alongside the local pilots, NASP and Independent Age delivered an online national training offer that reached 282 Social Prescribing Link Workers, focused on how to better support older people experiencing financial hardship.

A full Learning Report, published in March 2025, captured these insights in detail, alongside toolkits and other resources highlighting the lived experiences of older people. The project leaves a legacy of knowledge, skills, new groups and activities, and better referral pathways for older people facing financial hardship.

Lee’s story

Lee was referred to the Oak Tree Project, a weekly session at Tortworth Arboretum, which provides a safe and supportive environment for participants to experience the mental health benefits of being active in the wood. Activities include walks, crafting with natural materials and cooking on the fire.

Having struggled with their mental health, this project has become central to Jay’s week. “Thursday is my day. It’s my escape day. If it disappeared, I’d probably have absolutely nothing.” The outdoor setting is a source of peace and inspiration. “I love coming to see all these trees...You just come and sit with your thoughts. I think I’d be lost without it.”

Physical Activity

Our work on physical activity and social prescribing, in partnership with Sport England, has focused on two interconnected priorities: understanding the needs of primary care and supporting the physical activity sector to deliver high-quality, impactful opportunities for communities.

Supporting Primary Care

We have engaged closely with primary care teams to understand their challenges and opportunities in embedding physical activity into social prescribing. Through this, we have developed and begun delivering a programme that equips multidisciplinary teams with the confidence, skills and knowledge to work effectively with their local physical activity sector, via their local Active Partnership. This approach enables stronger partnerships at a community level and helping physical activity to become a routine part of the social prescribing offer.

Strengthening the Physical Activity Sector

Alongside this, we have invested time in understanding the needs of the physical activity sector itself. Our aim has been to support providers so they can offer safe, inclusive, and high-quality social prescribing opportunities. We have focused on programmes for children and young people, with an emphasis on improving mental health and wellbeing.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Partnerships and Advocacy

We have continued to champion the role of sport and physical activity as an effective prescription for health and wellbeing, especially for groups who are often harder for the health system to reach.

 We worked in partnership with Movember and Rugby League Cares , supporting the development and expansion of the Ahead of the Game programme across England. This initiative equips young people, parents and coaches with tools to build resilience and protect mental health.

 We have advocated nationally for physical activity and sport to be recognised as tools for prevention, recovery, and community connection.

Anna’s story

Anna is a single parent with four teenage boys who went to the GP experiencing low mood. She was referred to see Social Prescribing Link Worker Zoe, who met with her in the local park for some walking consultations. Together, they identified two goals of working on Anna’s activity levels and improving her mental wellbeing. Anna started cycling to her sessions with Zoe and was also referred to a local women’s centre who were able to provide some free person-centred therapy alongside a community-based course at her local healthy living centre, Brighter Living Partnership. She enjoyed the course and got on very well with the leaders, so after attending the centre for a few weeks Anna offered to help volunteer her time at the community café meeting and greeting people, taking orders and helping prepare food. Anna is now an extremely highly valued volunteer at the centre.

Global

International Visits & Speaking Engagements

We continue to support ministries of health, leading NGOs, and academic partners for strategic guidance, capacity building, and access to the latest global insights. Over the last year, we have hosted more than 122 guests from 10 countries to learn about social prescribing in the English health system, including delegations from South Korea, USA, Hong Kong, Denmark, Singapore and Taiwan. We have also learned from our guests about pioneering approaches in other countries.

At the 2024 International Social Prescribing Conference in London, we hosted attendees from over 20 countries. NASP spoke at the Canadian Social Prescribing Conference in Toronto with speakers and insights from across the world. This was followed by NASP CEO delivering a keynote speech at a New York Social Prescribing Summit hosted by the Social Prescribing USA Network.

International Social Prescribing Collaborative

We convene the International Social Prescribing Collaborative, the world’s largest network of social prescribing policymakers and practitioners. With 34 countries now represented, these six-weekly sessions spotlight developments in social prescribing policy, practice, research and implementation, facilitating interdisciplinary knowledge-sharing. Through our international work, NASP was able to welcome seven new countries to the collaborative (United Arab Emirates, Norway, Greece, India, Colombia, Finland, New Zealand) growing the network and its reach. Our work ensures the global community is connected, informed, and empowered to drive innovation and best practice in social prescribing.

Partnerships

Our International Programme works through partnerships designed to create lasting impact, empowering local leadership, and building a global movement of community-centred care to better health for all.

The second edition of the Social Prescribing around the World report was published in June 2024 at the International Social Prescribing Conference. This includes the addition of six new countries, including work from Lower-Middle Income Countries such as The Philippines and Nigeria.

The large-scale £7m Social Prescribing EU project, funded under the Horizon Europe programme, began in January 2025 with our Communications and International teams working together on the Communications and Dissemination workplans. The project will conduct a randomised control trial to assess the potential of social prescribing to promote and improve access to health and care services for people in vulnerable situations, focusing on three primary target groups: LGBTIQ people, refugees and first-generation immigrants and older adults living alone. The project involves over 22 partners across the EU and will run for five years.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Our partnership with The Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing (CISP) has seen a fantastic first year with sessions on Student Champions, Formal Curriculum, Research partners, Clinical Engagement, Arts and Culture and Communication materials. NASP also presented at Canada's social prescribing community of practice.

Our journey to become a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre has progressed well under the guidance of Nils Fletje (WHO Europe) and Christopher Bailey (WHO Lead for Arts and Health). Our work with WHO continues alongside this, with a WHO Europe series of webinars launched in collaboration with the Austrian Government with speakers from WHO Geneva, WHO Europe, WHO Western Pacific, reaching an audience of over 20 countries.

Mary’s story

When her husband passed away, Mary’s life was turned upside down. Living alone, she became increasingly isolated and was referred to Môn Community Link, a Social Prescribing Service on Anglesey. In her conversations with Local Asset Coordinator, Awen, Mary opened up about her feelings of low mood and expressed a strong desire to reconnect with her community.

Mary’s first step was volunteering at a community Christmas dinner event at Hen Ysgol Bodorgan, a Community Centre in a rural area on Anglesey. She felt an immediate connection to its warm and welcoming community, making it the perfect place to start a group for people navigating grief and loss. With the help of a small grant, within a few weeks the Bereavement Café was launched in February 2025 and has quickly flourished. The group, led by Mary, is now a close-knit circle of friends, meeting weekly with around 15 regular attendees and has even organised summer walks together.

Innovation

This year, NASP’s innovation work has focused on building stronger connections across the social prescribing system, driving collaboration through specialist communities, and supporting the sector with high-quality development opportunities.

The Innovation Network has continued to expand, with representation from across the social prescribing system, including healthcare, workforce and voluntary and community organisations. In Autumn 2024, we launched an enhanced digital platform for the Network, offering members a dedicated hub to collaborate, exchange knowledge and overcome challenges.

We also delivered a regular programme of Innovation events, including monthly themed networking sessions, peer clinics, and specialist tutorials. Evaluation shows that participants are building meaningful professional relationships and translating learning directly into their work, supporting a more connected and resilient social prescribing system.

During 2024/25, we developed the concept of ‘Innovation Communities’ within our wider Innovation Network. These themed communities are being designed as focused spaces where partners can test ideas, share insights, and tackle specific priorities. Work on the Green Social Prescribing Community was prioritised, with the aim of creating a national platform to advance the scale and spread of green social prescribing.

We also soft-launched our first training module on the Social Prescribing Knowledge Gateway. ‘Social Prescribing Essentials’ is a new e-learning module introducing the fundamentals of social prescribing. Developed with practitioners and voluntary sector partners, the course has received excellent feedback, with participants reporting increased knowledge and confidence in applying social prescribing in their own settings.

Mark’s story

"When I first spoke to my social prescriber, I was feeling really low and didn’t know where to turn for help,” says Mark. Following the death of a long-term partner, struggles with mental health led to the loss of employment. Mark divulged that he was living without heating and had a substantial energy debt which was causing distress and financial hardship. Through a partnership with Citizens Advice, support with this debt was provided, and through a referral to the Heart Home Adaptions team, Mark received a new boiler and windows. A PIP claim, with the support of his social prescriber, means an extra income so Mark can afford his essentials, keep warm and eat properly.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

As Mark continued to engage with his Social Prescribing Link Worker, it was apparent how lonely and isolated he still was. He was invited to a Walk and Talk Group, delivered by the social prescribing team, giving him a chance to meet new people, gain confidence and enjoy some exercise and fresh air. “I was really nervous...but I pushed myself to do it and I’m really glad I did,” he says. Mark now also consistently attends a Walking Football group and Men Talk, a group just for men, “I have made many new friends through these groups so even on bad days when I would have hid away previously, I now go along as it makes me feel so much better.”

Investment

Power of Music Fund (PoM)

Key milestones and stats from 2024-2025

Summary of activity

Manchester Camerata became the UK’s first Centre of Excellence for Music and Dementia, launching in May 2024 in Manchester with Andy Burnham speaking alongside Charlotte Osborn-Forde and a range of other partners. They were awarded a grant of £500,000 from NASP, which was equally matched by investment from Greater Manchester NHS and Greater Manchester Local Authority, totalling over £1m over three years. Press coverage was significant, including 27 featured pieces in national and international mainstream print and broadcast media.

The Rayne Foundation's commitment to the fund enabled us to bring together remaining funds from Utley Foundation and public fundraising and create a second Centre of Excellence, focusing on enhancing the health and social care workforce's ability to integrate music into dementia care. The application process was carried out in 2024-25, with Hertfordshire ultimately selected as the second Centre of Excellence. They will co-produce a robust training programme to upskill the local health and care workforce. They will roll this out across health care providers and establish champions within the Hertfordshire care homes that can embed the use of therapeutic music techniques within dementia care.

Music for All awarded 32 organisations a total of just under £50,000 of funding in July 2024. This funding prioritised applications from underrepresented communities, with a strong spread of organisations across the country. Music for All has since committed to a further two years of funding small grants as part of the Power of Music Fund.

NASP has worked closely with Manchester Camerata to create a Power of Music Learning Network, delivering webinars on a range of topics including the evidence base for music and dementia, how to connect to healthcare, as well as more practical topics such as managing risk and communications. The learning network is aimed at music and dementia projects, to help them share learning, discuss challenges and connect to others. The network is growing and has so far involved more than 100 leaders and organisations from across the UK. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive from network members.

The wider Power of Music Consortium and Steering group continue to meet regularly and progress the wider aims of the group around music and health.

Community Health & Wellbeing Fund (formerly Shared Investment Fund)

In December 2024, we published a report, Envisaging a Social Prescribing Fund, which made the case for a new fund that would support community activities, groups and services that benefit people’s health and wellbeing.

The proposed England-wide fund of £1 billion over 10 years would bring together contributions from the public, philanthropic and private sectors, and provide vital long-term funding for community groups and organisations to meet the rising demand for their activities and services.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The allocation of funds would be based on local health needs and could include support for evidence-based community projects for people who are struggling with their mental health, music-based programmes for people living with dementia or exercise sessions to help prevent diabetes.

We developed the report with more than 100 organisations – from national funders to NHS Integrated Care Boards to local charities - who strongly supported the vision it presented.

Our aim is that the fund – now known as a National Community Health and Wellbeing Fund – could be worth £1 billion over ten years.

Evidence

New evidence published in 2024-25

The best evidence shaping social prescribing policy, practice and research

During 2024-25, we focused on developing the evidence base to address identified priority areas, such as developing better ways to report on the economic value of social prescribing services, supporting voluntary sector activity providers to demonstrate the impact of their services, and ensuring that findings were shared in ways that are as accessible and useful as possible.

In August, we shared an accessible resource to support voluntary, community faith and social enterprise sector organisations to evaluate the impact of their work, informed by a scoping review the previous year.

In November, we published a report on the impact of social prescribing on health service use and costs , summarising the analysis of social prescribing evaluation data from nine local health systems across England. These evaluations found that social prescribing can substantially reduce pressure on the NHS, including through:

We also worked with the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR) at Sheffield Hallam University to conduct research on Community-led Social Prescribing, commissioned by Local Trust. This year-long research project, published in January, explored the potential for greater community involvement in and leadership of social prescribing in England.

We expanded our International Evidence Collaborative to over 1,000 members and shared monthly evidence newsletters to keep them updated on relevant social prescribing evidence and research opportunities.

We have engaged with stakeholders focused on improving data-driven systems for social prescribing and at the end of 2024/25 we formed a partnership with the Social Biobehavioural Research Group at UCL to develop a National Centre for Social Prescribing Data and Analysis. This fulfils one of the key recommendations from NASP’s 2023 report, The Future of Social Prescribing in England. The partnership combines NASP’s reach into communities and our expertise in policy development and advocacy with UCL’s world leading research and analysis capability .

We also continued to provide an evidence service to NASP itself, to ensure all our activity is evidence informed and can contribute to the evidence base.

Profile

Communications

According to our latest YouGov survey, 22% of people in England now recognise the phrase "social prescribing", a rise from 13% in 2022. Many more people understand that health professionals can refer people to non-medical groups and activities, and support for the concept of social prescribing remains high.

With over 168k users, the NASP website continues to be a one-stop shop for information and support on social prescribing, with highlights including new ‘hubs’ focusing on heritage and social prescribing, and on long-term conditions. The website saw an 18% rise in users over the course of the year, and there was also a 14% rise in followers on social media.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

NASP and its work was featured in a wide range of local and national media. We also continued to play a coordinating role for Social Prescribing Day. There were more than 50 events across the country on the day, and the day trended on social media.

Events and Webinars

The sold-out International Social Prescribing Conference in June 2024, co-hosted with The Social Prescribing Network and The University of Westminster, attracted more than 500 delegates from 20 countries, and featured more than 60 speakers. These included Sir Michael Marmot, Cormac Russell and Dame Sarah Mullally (the Bishop of London).

We also hosted The Social Prescribing Day Summit in March 2025, featuring contributions from Stephen Kinnock MP, Minister of State for Care, and the Chief Executives of Natural England, Royal College of General Practice, Historic England, Local Trust, National Voices, PPL and the Lloyds Bank Foundation.

Other live events included the launch of the Envisaging a Social Prescribing Fund report, and an event to celebrate the success of the cross-Government Green Social Prescribing programme.

NASP offers a programme of free webinars covering a range of themes from a variety of industries and backgrounds. In 2024-2025, topics included faith, older people, the impact of social prescribing on health service use and costs and youth social prescribing in action. On average, the audiences rated these 8.8 out of 10 for usefulness.

Our staff also spoke at more than 40 external events and estimate that we reached thousands of health and care professionals.

Internal Developments

At NASP, we know that delivering impact externally begins with creating a thriving culture internally. Over the past year, we have invested in our wellbeing, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (WEDIB) initiatives, embedding practices that ensure every colleague feels supported and able to thrive.

At the start of the year, we introduced a new opportunity for staff to become ‘Wellbeing and Inclusion Reps.’ These roles volunteer to be visible advocates for wellbeing and inclusion, gathering feedback from colleagues, sharing relevant updates with their team, and contributing to our WEDIB Staff Action Group. These roles are now playing a central role in shaping organisational culture; their work has amplified staff voice, informed decision-making, and driven new initiatives that reflect the lived experience of our team.

We have also advanced our commitment to inclusive practice through the Disability Confident Scheme, building on our initial accreditation, to successfully achieve ‘Disability Confident Employer’ status this year. Alongside this, we introduced a new comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, providing staff and their immediate families with free, confidential access to a range of support including counselling, legal and financial advice, wellbeing support and online courses. This additional layer of support ensures colleagues can access support 24/7, further strengthening our approach to staff wellbeing.

In March 2025, we undertook a full-scale review of staff policies, to ensure they uphold high standards of inclusivity, best practice, and alignment with our values. We also introduced a new ‘People Insights Cycle’ which will see a refreshed staff survey and improved design for employee appraisals. These changes provide staff with structured opportunities for meaningful reflection, feedback and development, while providing leadership with valuable insights into how NASP can continue to evolve as an employer of choice.

Alongside this, we have taken significant steps to modernise our HR processes, making them more intuitive and effective for staff, to provide quicker access to the tools and information they need, reducing administrative burden and creating a smoother, more transparent employee experience. We also invested in staff training, with a particular focus on managing change. In partnership with ACAS, managers took part in a tailored training session covering best practice in people management, including how to create a psychologically safe workplace.

To support opportunities for belonging, collaboration and learning across the organisation, we have worked alongside employees, including our Wellbeing and Inclusion Reps, to co-create a number of in-person staff days.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

This ensures that staff days are shaped by the needs of our team and support a stronger culture of connection across the organisation, building a culture that truly reflects our values.

Our partners

We would like to thank our national partners, including: Arts Council England Historic England Rayne Foundation The National Lottery Fund Natural England Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs NHS England Music for Dementia Sport England The Utley Foundation University College London The Social Prescribing Network Local Trust Good Faith Partnership Horizon Europe The European Commission University of Westminster Universal Music UK Worwin UK Foundation PrescQIPP University of East Anglia The Linbury Trust Independent Age The Sam West Foundation The Rowlands Trust

And our regional partners, including: Hastings Voluntary Action Reaching People Leicester

Financial review

For the year ended 31 March 2025 the Charity received total income of £3,137,354 (2024: £2,731,968) and incurred expenditure on charitable activities of £2,831,763 (2024: £2,536,295) resulting in a surplus position for the year of £305,591 (2024: £195,673). During the year the Charity received a grant of £1.7m from The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and has secured funding from DHSC of £1.5m for 2025/26.

At 31 March 2025 the Charity had cash of £1,524,792 (31 March 2024: £1,424,652), restricted funds of £355,121 (31 March 2024: £442,822) and unrestricted funds of £905,019 (31 March 2024: £511,727).

Reserves policy

NASP's Reserves policy is designed to ensure financial stability for NASP as a registered charity with between 3- 6 months of operational costs held in a designated Reserves Account which can only be used with Board authorisation.

NASP's main source of income continues to be grant funding from DHSC but one of its objectives over the next 2- 3 years is to derive more income from other sources. The current funding agreement with DHSC means that any underspend of grant monies received from DHSC is carried over into the following year and offset against new grant monies due from DHSC.

Based on its current levels of expenditure NASP has set a target of between £700,000 and £1,400,000 to hold as reserves as recommended by the Charities Commission to cover between 3 and 6 months of operating costs.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Risk management

NASP management regularly reviews the Risk Register on a bi-monthly basis and reports this to our Trustees and on a quarterly basis to the Finance, Audit, Investment and Risk Committee (FAIRCO). At present the main highlights are around diversifying our income streams and ensuring we have robust processes and staffing structures and levels to meet our programme requirements. As the Risk Register is reviewed across the Senior Management Team and Board every 8 weeks this ensure that the leadership team are very aware of the risk and related mitigations in daily business operations.

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate the impact or likelihood of occurrence of its major risks.

Plans for future periods

We have developed five longer term goals which will shape our priorities and outcomes for 2023-2026:

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee. The charity is governed by its memorandum and articles adopted on 25 February 2020 as amended by special resolution on 1 September 2020.

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Prof Dame H J Stokes-Lampard (Resigned 16 October 2024)
Mr J Badyal (Resigned 22 October 2025)
Dr H O Brunjes (Resigned 13 February 2025)
Ms P Dimond (Resigned 13 March 2025)
Mr B Gudger
Ms P R Hitchcox
Ms S Metcalfe
Ms G A Palmer
Ms C A Fyfe (Appointed 16 August 2024)
Dr D M Deniszczyc (Appointed 16 August 2024)
Lady A P Ellingworth (Appointed 16 August 2024)
Ms L J Tookey (Appointed 13 March 2025)
Mr E A S Bahaj (Appointed 13 March 2025)
Dr K Hawthorne - Chair (Appointed 25 June 2025)

The appointment of new trustees is performed through national advertising when the positions become available. Trustees are offered induction training when they first join allowing them to understand and connect to the business fully. Regular meetings with respective staff members take place with Board expertise in specific areas being utilised.

Alongside NASP's Remuneration Committee (REMCo), NASP's Remuneration Policy clearly states that the policy and any changes in remuneration must support NASP's vision, purpose and values. A robust process around renumeration changes (e.g. acting up allowance, additional responsibilities), is in place which involves sign off at both Senior Management Team and Trustee level with a yearly review of all salaries scheduled in Q4. Annual benchmarking of salaries and reviews of internal bandings are completed in Q4.

None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Charity is governed by the trustees with day-to-day activities managed by an operational committee which is headed by our Chief Executive Officer, Charlotte Osborn-Forde.

Auditor

PKF Littlejohn LLP were appointed as first auditors to the company during 2020/21 by the Trustees. The Company is not required under its Articles to hold an Annual General Meeting. Accordingly, PKF Littlejohn LLP are re-appointed auditors to the Company.

Disclosure of information to auditor

Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information.

In preparing this report the trustees have taken advantage of the small company exemptions provided by section 415A of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

..............................

Dr K Hawthorne - Chair Trustee Dated: .........................2nd December 2025

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The trustees, who are also the directors of The National Academy for Social Prescribing for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of the National Academy for Social Prescribing (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ending 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the trustees’ annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees’ responsibilities, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https:// www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone, other than the charitable company and the charitable company's trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Alastair Duke (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of PKF Littlejohn LLP Statutory Auditor

5 December 2025

15 Westferry Circus Canary Wharf London E14 4HD

PKF Littlejohn LLP is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2025
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Grants and donations
3
369,977
2,623,449
Charitable activities
4
126,646
-
Investments
5
17,281
-
Total income
513,904
2,623,449
Charitable activities
6
247,147
2,584,617
Net income
266,757
38,832
Transfers between
funds
126,535
(126,535)
Net movement in
funds
393,292
(87,703)
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 April 2024
511,727
442,822
Fund balances at 31 March
2025
905,019
355,119		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2024
2024
£
£
£
2,993,426
-
2,619,831
126,646
81,161
24,256
17,281
6,720
-
3,137,353
87,881
2,644,087
2,831,764
83,301
2,452,994
305,589
4,580
191,093
-
198,127
(198,127)
305,589
202,707
(7,034)
954,549
309,020
449,856
1,260,138
511,727
442,822		 Total
2024
£
2,619,831
105,417
6,720
2,731,968
2,536,295
195,673
-
195,673
758,876
954,549

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 22 to 35 form part of these financial statements.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
12
Current assets
Debtors
13
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
14
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Income funds
Restricted funds
16
Unrestricted funds		 2025
£
£
5,292
78,329
1,524,792
1,603,121
(348,275)
1,254,846
1,260,138
355,119
905,019
1,260,138		 2024
£
£
12,520
76,398
1,424,652
1,501,050
(559,021)
942,029
954,549
442,822
511,727
954,549		 2024
£
£
12,520
76,398
1,424,652
1,501,050
(559,021)
942,029
954,549
442,822
511,727
954,549
954,549
442,822
511,727
954,549

For the year ended 31 March 2025, the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006, although an audit has been carried out under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The notes on pages 22 to 35 form part of these financial statements.

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on .........................2nd December 2025

..............................

Dr K Hawthorne - Chair Trustee

Company Registration No. 12275770

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
22
Investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Investment income received
Net cash generated from investing
activities
Net cash used in financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		 2025
£
£
82,859
-
17,281
17,281
-
100,140
1,424,652
1,524,792		 2024
£
£
573,746
(453)
6,720
6,267
-
580,013
844,639
1,424,652		 2024
£
£
573,746
(453)
6,720
6,267
-
580,013
844,639
1,424,652
580,013
844,639
1,424,652

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

The National Academy for Social Prescribing is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £1.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis. The trustees have considered relevant information, including future cash flow forecasts and the impact of subsequent events in making their assessment.

Based on these assessments and having regard to the resources available to the entity, the trustees have concluded that there is no material uncertainty in relation to the appropriateness of continuing to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Income

Income from government grants is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Expenditure relating to charitable activities is included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis.

Support costs include amounts incurred in respect of the running of the charity as an organisation, including general management, administration and the finance function. The bases on which support costs have been allocated are set out in note 8.

Governance costs include staff costs incurred to support governance and legal and professional fees. The bases on which support costs have been allocated are set out in note 8.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Fixtures and fittings 25% reducing balance per annum Computer equipment 33% straight line per annum

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.8 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks.

1.9 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Basic financial instruments are measured at transactions price and are subsequently measured at their settlement value.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

1.10 Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

1.11 Prior period adjustment

The financial statements include a restatement for the comparative period which has been made to correct the allocation of staff costs between direct charitable activities, support costs, and governance costs.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

3 Grants

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2025
£
£
Donations and gifts
-
2,155
Grants receivable
369,977
2,621,294
369,977
2,623,449		 Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2025
£
£
Donations and gifts
-
2,155
Grants receivable
369,977
2,621,294
369,977
2,623,449		 Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2025
£
£
Donations and gifts
-
2,155
Grants receivable
369,977
2,621,294
369,977
2,623,449		 Total
2025
£
2,155
2,991,271
2,993,426		 Total
2024
£
12,596
2,607,235
2,619,831
1,900,000
42,675
(2,450)
140,227
352,000
91,020
51,915
30,000
-
-
1,848
2,607,235
Grant and donations income received in the comparative period all related to restricted funds.
Grants receivable for core activities
Department of Health and Social Care
Sport England
Lego Company Ltd
Independent Age
The Utley Foundation
Arts Council England
The National Lottery Community Fund
Arts Council England - Power of Music fund
DEFRA
Worwin UK Foundation
Other		 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
369,977
-
-
369,977		 1,700,000
113,502
-
95,039
332,000
-
-
97,500
-
126,378
156,875
2,621,294		 1,700,000
113,502
-
95,039
332,000
-
-
97,500
369,977
126,378
156,875
2,991,271

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

4
Income from charitable activities
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2025
£
£
Natural England
Services provided under
contract
-
-
NHSEI
Services provided under
contract
-
-
Local Trust
Services provided under
contract
41,000
-
International Social Prescribing
Conference
Services provided under
contract
30,547
-
Other
Services provided under
contract
55,099
-
126,646
-		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2024
2024
£
£
£
-
-
10,000
-
-
14,256
41,000
37,400
-
30,547
-
-
55,099
43,761
-
126,646
81,161
24,256		 Total
2024
£
10,000
14,256
37,400
-
43,761
105,417

5 Income from investments

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Interest receivable 17,281 6,720

Total 2024 As restated £ 1,264,258 665,149 1,929,407 52,500 460,431 93,957 2,536,295 83,301 2,452,994 2,536,295
Sports England 2024 As restated £ 58,006 17,865 75,871 - 16,000 - 91,871 - 91,871 91,871
Thriving communities programme 2024 As restated £ 66,540 323,045 389,585 - - - 389,585 - 389,585 389,585
Promotion of social prescribing 2024 As restated £ 1,139,712 324,239 1,463,951 52,500 444,431 93,957 2,054,839 83,301 1,971,538 2,054,839
Total 2025 £ 1,081,121 504,624 1,585,745 714,611 445,969 85,439 2,831,764 247,147 2,584,617 2,831,764
Sports England 2025 £ 59,488 17,218 76,706 - 787 - 77,493 - 77,493 77,493
Promotion of social prescribing 2025 £ 1,021,633 487,406 1,509,039 714,611 445,182 85,439 2,754,271 247,147 2,507,124 2,754,271
Charitable activities Staff costs Other costs Grant funding of activities (see note 7) Share of support costs (see note 8) Share of governance costs (see note 8) Analysis by fund Unrestricted funds Restricted funds For further detail of the prior period restatement, refer to note 20,
6

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

7 Grants payable

Promotion
of social
prescribing
Promotion of
social
prescribing
2025
2024
£
£
Grants to institutions:
Age UK - Power of Music
158,000
-
Social Finance
83,441
-
University College London
62,670
-
Manchester Camerata - Power of Music
243,500
-
Reaching People
15,000
25,000
Hastings Voluntary Action
-
27,500
Small grants to various institutions under Power of Music programme
152,000
-
714,611
52,500		 Promotion
of social
prescribing
Promotion of
social
prescribing
2025
2024
£
£
Grants to institutions:
Age UK - Power of Music
158,000
-
Social Finance
83,441
-
University College London
62,670
-
Manchester Camerata - Power of Music
243,500
-
Reaching People
15,000
25,000
Hastings Voluntary Action
-
27,500
Small grants to various institutions under Power of Music programme
152,000
-
714,611
52,500		 Promotion
of social
prescribing
Promotion of
social
prescribing
2025
2024
£
£
Grants to institutions:
Age UK - Power of Music
158,000
-
Social Finance
83,441
-
University College London
62,670
-
Manchester Camerata - Power of Music
243,500
-
Reaching People
15,000
25,000
Hastings Voluntary Action
-
27,500
Small grants to various institutions under Power of Music programme
152,000
-
714,611
52,500
2025
£
158,000
83,441
62,670
243,500
15,000
-
152,000
714,611		 2024
£
-
-
-
-
25,000
27,500
-
52,500

8 Support costs

Staff costs
Other costs
Depreciation and
impairment
Analysed between
Charitable activities		 Support
costs
Governance
costs
£
£
151,995
50,391
286,746
35,048
7,228
-
445,969
85,439
445,969
85,439		 2025
2024 Basis of allocation
As Restated
£
£
202,386
234,895
Time spent
321,794
300,287
Direct
7,228
19,206
Direct
531,408
554,388
531,408
554,388

For further detail of the prior period restatement, refer to note 20,

Governance costs includes fees to the auditors of £13,500 (2024 - £13,100) (net of VAT) for audit fees.

9 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

During the year ended 31 March 2025, two trustees (2024 - two) were reimbursed for travel expenses, or had travel expenses paid by the charity on their behalf, totaling £231 (2024 - £488).

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

10 Employees

Average number of employees for the year were 18 (2024: 22).

Included within wages and salaries are employment costs associated with staff seconded to the charity from other organisations. The payroll for such staff remains with their substantive employer, therefore while the charity is liable for the costs of their employment, it does not pay social security or pension contributions to or on behalf of the seconded staff. The analysis below separates only the social security costs and pension contributions related to direct employees of the charity, with the full employment cost of seconded staff being included within wages and salaries.

Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 2025
£
1,167,248
91,811
24,448
1,283,507		 2024
£
1,367,713
104,637
26,803
1,499,153

The aggregate remuneration of key management personnel during the year amounted to £195,641 (2024 - £174,205).

The number of employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more were:

were:
2025 2024
Number Number
£60,001 - £70,000 1 -
£100,001 - £110,000 1 1

11 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

12
Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures and
fittings
£
Cost
At 1 April 2024
6,805
Disposals
-
At 31 March 2025
6,805
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2024
3,142
Depreciation charged in the year
916
Eliminated in respect of disposals
-
At 31 March 2025
4,058
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2025
2,747
At 31 March 2024
3,663
13
Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
14
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Notes
Other taxation and social security
Deferred income
15
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals		 Computer
equipment
£
57,587
(19,265)
38,322
48,730
6,312
(19,265)
35,777
2,545
8,857
2025
£
36,443
16,145
25,741
78,329
2025
£
21,462
52,173
142,344
4,408
127,888
348,275		 Total
£
64,392
(19,265)
45,127
51,872
7,228
(19,265)
39,835
5,292
12,520
2024
£
31,652
-
44,746
76,398
2024
£
28,413
98,541
276,860
4,978
150,229
559,021

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

15 Deferred income

Deferred income
Arising from government grants
Arising from other grants		 2025
£
-
52,173
52,173		 2024
£
33,502
65,039
98,541

Deferred grant income relates to grants where the income has been received but it is to be used in future periods. All of the deferred income brought forward from the comparative period have been released to the Statement of Financial Activities during the year to 31 March 2024.

Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:

2025
£
Deferred income is included within:
Current liabilities
52,173
Movements in the year:
Deferred income at 1 April 2024
98,541
Released from previous periods
(98,541)
Resources deferred in the year
52,173
Deferred income at 31 March 2025
52,173		 2024
£
98,541
266
(266)
98,541
98,541
THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 16
Restricted funds		 The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. Movement in funds
Movement in funds		 Balance at
Incoming
Resources
Transfers
Balance at
Incoming
Resources
Transfers
Balance at		 1 April 2023
resources
expended
1 April 2024
resources
expended
31 March 2025		 £
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£		 Department of Health and Social Care
31,273
1,900,000
(1,918,753)
-
12,520
1,700,000
(1,707,228)
-
5,292		 Sport England
64,306
42,675
(75,871)
(16,000)
15,110
113,502
(77,492)
(16,000)
35,120		 DEFRA
10,000
-
(8,000)
(2,000)
-
-
-
-
-		 Independent Age
-
140,227
(118,227)
(22,000)
-
95,039
(95,039)
-
-		 Natural England
51,990
10,000
(53,423)
(8,567)
-
-
-
-
-		 NHSEI
135,134
14,255
(43,340)
(12,413)
93,636
-
-
-
93,636		 The Lego Company Ltd
122,328
(2,450)
(101,097)
(18,781)
-
-
-
-
-		 Power of Music
20,000
396,445
-
(94,889)
321,556
518,655
(553,500)
(103,498)
183,213		 Arts Council England (ACE)
-
91,020
(91,020)
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Worwin UK Foundation
-
-
-
-
-
126,378
(68,770)
(19,750)
37,858		 The National Lottery Community Fund
-
51,915
(43,263)
(8,652)
-
-
-
-
-		 SP - EU Research
-
-
-
-
-
4,875
(4,875)
-
-		 CYP - Linbury Trust & Sam West Foundation
-
-
-
-
-
65,000
(77,713)
12,713
-		 Other
14,825
-
-
(14,825)
-
-
-
-
-		 449,856
2,644,087
(2,452,994)
(198,127)
442,822
2,623,449
(2,584,617)
(126,535)
355,119
Restricted funds
(Continued)		 Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) This grant is to support the continuation of the core work of the charity in 2024/25. Broadly, this funding is to increase the numbers of people able to access social This grant is to support the continuation of the core work of the charity in 2024/25. Broadly, this funding is to increase the numbers of people able to access social prescribing, the range, availability and quality of community-based activities, and to support people to connect to these activities in order to improve people's health and wellbeing, in line with the charity's strategic plan. Sport England This grant is a multi-year funding agreement to support the charity's Physical Activity programme, including funding a National Lead for Physical Activity role within the charity. This funding is to support the Thriving Communities programme, in addition to the wider NASP/Sport England partnership. DEFRA This grant was provided to support the charity's contribution to the Green Social Prescribing scheme. The grant was fully utilised in the prior period. This grant was provided to support the charity's contribution to the Green Social Prescribing scheme. The grant was fully utilised in the prior period. Independent Age This grant has been provided to support the charity's work promoting better outcomes for older people through social prescribing. The grant also funds a National Lead This grant has been provided to support the charity's work promoting better outcomes for older people through social prescribing. The grant also funds a National Lead for Older People role within the charity. for Older People role within the charity. Natural England This grant is for a package of work to support Green Social Prescribing (Social Prescribing in Natural Environments) through the development and provision of evidence, sector engagement and best practice in Green Social Prescribing. NHSEI This funding is from commissioned work from NHSEI via Capita, to develop Link Worker resources, support social prescribing Champions, and to refresh and review guides and other resources, as well as a comms campaign. The Lego Company This funding represents a grant to develop, implement and evaluate a feasibility pilot for 'Prescription for Play' in the UK. Power of Music The Power of Music Fund aims to support people living with dementia and their carers through music. We launched the fund in November 2023, in partnership with the Utley Foundation, Arts Council England, Music for All and Universal Music. Arts Council England Arts Council England This grant has been provided to support the charity's Art and Culture programme. This grant has been provided to support the charity's Art and Culture programme.
16

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

17 Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

At 1 April
2024
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
£
£
£
General funds
511,727
513,904
(247,147)
Previous year:
At 1 April
2023
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
£
£
£
General funds
309,020
87,881
(83,301)
18
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total
Unrestricted
funds
2025
2025
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
Fund balances at 31
March 2025 are
represented by:
Tangible assets
-
5,292
5,292
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
905,019
349,827
1,254,846
511,727
905,019
355,119
1,260,138
511,727		 Transfers
At 31 March
2025
£
£
126,535
905,019
Transfers
At 31 March
2024
£
£
198,127
511,727
Restricted
funds
Total
2024
2024
£
£
12,520
12,520
430,302
942,029
442,822
954,549

19 Related party transactions

Transactions with related parties

During the year the charity entered into the following transactions with directors/trustees:

a) Ms S. Metcalfe is CEO of The Utley Foundation. During the year, NASP entered into a funding arrangement with The Utley Foundation in relation to the Power of Music ("POM") Project. During the year ended 31 March 2025, NASP received £332,000 (2024 - £352,000) of income including a management fee of £103,498 (2024 - £94,889). These funds, excluding the management fee, have been paid out by NASP to organisations since the year end that have successfully applied for funds as part of the POM programme.

b) During the year ended 31 March 2025, two trustees (2024 - two) were reimbursed for travel expenses, or had travel expenses paid by the charity on their behalf, totaling £231 (2024 - £488).

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

20 Prior period adjustment

The financial statements include a restatement of the comparative period which has been made to correct the allocation of staff and other costs between direct charitable activities and support and governance costs.

The effect of the restatement has been:

  1. To increase staff costs within direct charitable activities by £287,627, of which £275,322 relates to the charitable activity "Promotion of Social Prescribing" and £12,305 relates to the charitable activity "Thriving Communities Programme";

  2. To increase other costs within direct charitable activities by £262,870, of which £245,005 relates to the charitable activity "Promotion of Social Prescribing" and £17,865 relates to the charitable activity "Sport England";

  3. To increase governance costs by £11,560, which relates to the charitable activity "Promotion of Social Prescribing"; and

  4. To decrease support costs by £562,057, of which £544,192 relates to the charitable activity "Promotion of Social Prescribing" and £17,865 relates to the charitable activity "Sport England".

There is no net impact on total charitable expenditure, surplus, or net assets for the year to 31 March 2024.

21 Analysis of changes in net funds

The charity had no debt during the current or comparative periods.

22
Cash generated from operations
2025
£
Surplus for the year
305,589
Adjustments for:
Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities
(17,281)
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets
7,228
Movements in working capital:
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
(1,931)
(Decrease) in creditors
(164,378)
(Decrease)/increase in deferred income
(46,368)
Cash generated from operations
82,859		 2024
£
195,673
(6,720)
19,206
325,693
(58,381)
98,275
573,746