The Welsh Dimension for Social Prescribing: Creativity for Health and Wellbeing

Abstract

 In Wales, UK there is an alarming statistic: “Between 2010 and 2023, prescriptions for antidepressants doubled, from 3.5 million to 7 million items. However, this included the Covid-19 pandemic—when we relied even more on medications i.e. neurotransmitters, designed to regulate brain chemistry: Serotonin, Dopamine, Oxytocin. So, we must ask: “Are we treating the cause… or managing the symptoms?”. The proposition that immersion in creative activity (“flow”) can stimulate neurochemical processes associated with wellbeing offers a compelling explanatory framework for arts-based social prescribing. Flow, conceptualised by Csikszentmihalyi (1990), describes a state of deep engagement in which individuals experience intrinsic reward, loss of self-consciousness, and a sense of meaningful absorption. While originally framed in psychological terms, subsequent neurocognitive research suggests that flow states are underpinned by measurable neurochemical activity, particularly within dopaminergic reward pathways (Dietrich, 2004; Flaherty, 2005). This has led to increasing interest in how structured creative interventions—such as those delivered through social prescribing programmes—may promote wellbeing through naturally occurring biochemical processes. While physical activity and social engagement—often components of creative practice—are associated with serotonin regulation and wellbeing (Meeusen & De Meirleir, 1995; Young, 2007), participation in group-based creative activities may stimulate oxytocin release, supporting social bonding and connection (Carter, 1998; Kosfeld et al., 2005). Therefore, if human connection and creativity can produce the same biochemical effects as antidepressants, through creative activities in the community why not prescribe them first? The current research explores the critical success factors for sustaining Social Prescribing (SP) Arts-on-Prescription (AoP) in Wales, not only from policymakers, but from the providers and the participants to identify, through triangulation of data, whether Service User expectations are met by Service Provider perspectives? This is bigger than mental health, alone. It is about lifelong learning, building cognitive reserve, potentially delaying an early onset of dementia.