The All-Ireland Social Prescribing Network (AISPN) hosted a two-day All-Ireland Social Prescribing Conference at the Fairways Hotel, Dundalk, on 11–12 June 2026, which was officially opened by Minister of State Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD, bringing together recipients, practitioners, researchers, policy-makers, community organisations and health leaders from the North and South of Ireland.
Social prescribing is a community-based, non-medical approach that supports physical, mental and social wellbeing by linking people with local activities, groups and supports in their communities.
The conference focused on the future development of social prescribing
across the island of Ireland, at a time when demand is growing in response to loneliness, mental ill-health, long-term conditions and pressure on primary care.
The All-Ireland Social Prescribing Network (AISPN) is an all-island network that connects social prescribing policy, practice and research. Established in 2017, AISPN brings together practitioners, community and voluntary organisations, academics and health system leaders to advance social prescribing as a core approach to prevention, social inclusion and wellbeing. Minister Murnane O’Connor officially opened the conference and said: “Social prescribing shows what is possible when communities, voluntary organisations and our health services work together. By connecting people with local supports, we can reduce loneliness, improve wellbeing and help people to stay well closer to home.”
Marianna Quinn from South Armagh, representing social prescribing recipients said: “Social prescribing has completely changed my life. Before, I felt very alone and didn’t know where to turn. Being linked in through social prescribing helped me find local groups, build my confidence and feel part of my community again. It has opened doors to new opportunities I never imagined.”
Anne O’Connor, CEO of the HSE, said: “Social prescribing is based on the principle of addressing ‘what matters to the person’ rather than ‘what’s the matter with them’. It is a person-centered approach that brings together health services, communities
and the many voluntary and community organisations that help deliver this support, linking people with local activities, groups and services that can make a real difference to their health and wellbeing.”
Other conference highlights included findings from the HSE Realist Evaluation of Social Prescribing in Ireland, sessions on children and youth social prescribing, practice development, building the evidence base, cost effectiveness and social return on investment, and a presentation on the Arts Council’s Arts and Social Prescribing report. The conference also included discussion of AISPN’s proposal for an All-Ireland School of Social Prescribing, designed to provide leadership, learning and evidence infrastructure for social prescribing across the island.
Prof Deirdre Connolly, Co-Chair of AISPN, said: “This conference is an important opportunity to bring together learning from North and South, strengthen collaboration, and build momentum for the next stage of social prescribing development across the island.”
