Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · 7h

Hear from Prof Daisy Fancourt and other groundbreaking researchers at a special event in London next month 👇

Leverhulme Trust @leverhulme.ac.uk · 1d

What do literary historian Santanu Das, psychobiologist Daisy Fancourt, archaeologist Naoíse Mac Sweeney, geographer Simon Reid-Henry, and cultural historian @tiffwattsmith.bsky.social all have in common?

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · 1d

Our latest newsletter has just landed in inboxes 📨

🔍 Take a look for an exciting book announcement plus the latest research news on #ArtsAndHealth & #SocialPrescribing: mailchi.mp/ucl/sbb-oct25
🔔 Subscribe for future updates: sbbresearch.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · 2d

Scholarships are available for our flagship Arts Health Research Intensive 🚀

Looking to develop knowledge, skills and contacts in #ArtsInHealth? Then this course might be for you! #AHRI26

⌛ Scholarship applications close on 9 November 2025

Find out more & apply 👉 sbbresearch.org/arts-health-...

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · 5d

ICYMI: 19 September marked #YouthMentalHealthDay 💬

This is a key focus of our work – explore below:
📊 New data from @uclgrandchallenges.bsky.social 👉 tinyurl.com/3p6w8due
💡 Our research on #SocialPrescribing 👉 tinyurl.com/5n6nzrh4
🎧 Distrupted Voices podcast 👉 tinyurl.com/2sspzjtb

One in three young people surveyed expect to need mental health support in coming year

The majority (64%) of young adults in Britain say they have experienced mental health difficulties, with a third (32%) expecting to need support in the coming year, according to polling commissioned f...

tinyurl.com

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Reposted by Social Biobehavioural Research Group

UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care @ucliehc.bsky.social · 6d

More than one million people a year are now being referred by GPs to social prescribing services 🧑‍⚕️

"This underlines what a fundamental and important service social prescribing now is within the NHS" - Professor Daisy Fancourt www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/se...

Social prescribing rises sharply among England’s GPs

More than one million people a year are now being referred by GPs to social prescribing services, according to a new study led by researchers at UCL.

www.ucl.ac.uk

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · 6d

Have you seen our latest policy brief on #SocialPrescribing for #YoungPeople?

📌 Read our key findings and recommendations: sbbresearch.org/wp-content/u...
📅 Join the conversation at our next event on Thursday 16th October, 12-1pm: eventbrite.co.uk/e/spyn-membe...

The front cover of the Policy Brief. This includes the title, a photo of young people standing together, and the logos of SPYN, the Social Biobehavioural Research Group, the National Academy for Social Prescribing and the Southbank Centre.

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · 9d

New research led by our team tracks five years of #SocialPrescribing growth in England 📈 👇

Want to learn more? Join our webinar with NASP on Tue 21st October 📅 We'll be reviewing major developments in Social Prescribing research from the past year: socialprescribingacademy.org.uk/events/nasp-...

UCL News @uclnews.bsky.social · 9d

More than a million people were referred by GPs to social prescribing services in England in 2023, far exceeding initial targets, finds a new study led by Dr Feifei Bu and Professor Daisy Fancourt @ucliehc.bsky.social @uclpophealthsci.bsky.social with the National Academy for Social Prescribing

Social prescribing rises sharply among England’s GPs

More than one million people a year are now being referred by GPs to social prescribing services, according to a new study led by researchers at UCL.

www.ucl.ac.uk

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · 12d

Join us at the Arts Health Research Intensive 2026 ⭐

#AHRI26 provides a rich introduction to the evidence base around #ArtsInHealth, fundamentals of evaluation and research, while connecting you with peers who share your interests!

Learn more and apply 👇
sbbresearch.org/arts-health-...

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · 14d

What do young people think about #SocialPrescribing as an approach to improving #MentalHealth? 💭

Take a look at the findings of a new qualitative study, from authors Annabelle Olsson, Emily Stapley, Alexander Russell and @danhayesphd.bsky.social 🔍

doi.org/10.1155/hsc/...

Young People’s Views of Social Prescribing as an Approach to Improving Mental Health: A Qualitative Study

Child and adolescent mental health difficulties are increasing in the UK and internationally. Social prescribing (SP), a nonmedical, community-linked approach, has shown promise for improving adult w...

doi.org

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · 16d

Great to stay in touch @hotmoklet.bsky.social and hope that you are also doing well! 🎉

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · 16d

📖 Professor Fancourt's new book "Art Cure" will be published in early 2026 and you can now pre-order in the UK & US: sbbresearch.org/projects/art...

🗓️ Check out the full Healing Arts programme from the Jameel Arts & Health Lab: www.healingartsnewyork.org

📸 Photo credit: @rebeccataylor.bsky.social

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · 16d

Today Professor Daisy Fancourt is in New York City, giving a keynote speech for #UNGAHealingArtsWeek 📣

Sharing the results of decades of scientific studies, Fancourt shows how the arts – alongside diet, sleep, exercise and nature – are the forgotten fifth pillar of health 💊🎨

Professor Daisy Fancourt gives a keynote speech at UNGA Healing Arts Week.

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · 16d

Great photo - if you are happy for us to share this through our communications channels too then please let us know! We can give credit 📸

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · 19d

“Whether practised alone or in a group, hobbies such as crochet and knitting become part of your social identity, functioning as a vehicle for reducing loneliness and building community.” 🧶
– Prof Daisy Fancourt in The Guardian

Read the full article 👇
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

‘Crafts are like medicine!’: Gen Z and the rapid rise of cosy hobbies

From crochet to drawing, supper clubs to pottery, young people are finding community and connection through pastimes once associated with their grandparents

www.theguardian.com

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · 21d

Interested in #SocialPrescribing for children, young people and families?

Join our next #SPYN Member Meetup to:
🔎 Hear insights from our roundtables on embedding & sustaining youth social prescribing
🗣️ Share your views
🤝 Network

Free & online, register below 👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spyn-membe...

SPYN Member Meetup: Autumn 2025

Join to connect with other network members and hear about SPYN's recent learning on how to embed and sustain youth social prescribing.

www.eventbrite.co.uk

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · 26d

How can we embed and sustain #SocialPrescribing so that it benefits more children, young people and families?

Earlier in the summer we asked policymakers and commissioners exactly this 🗨️

Check out our brand new policy brief and illustration to learn more: sbbresearch.org/how-to-embed...

An illustration summarises discussion from a roundtable on the topic of "Challenges and Opportunities for Embedding and Sustaining Youth Social Prescribing".

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · 28d

‘When Science Finds a Way’, the podcast by @wellcometrust.bsky.social, is back for another season!

The first episode "The arts: can creativity help mental health?" is released today and features Professor Daisy Fancourt speaking on #ArtsAndHealth 🎙️

Listen now: lnk.to/KPParI

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · 29d

New event!

Join our upcoming webinar with NASP, where Professor Daisy Fancourt will be rounding up the major developments in #SocialPrescribing research from the past year 📊

🗓️ Tuesday 21st October, 12-1pm
💻 Online event
👇 Register for free

socialprescribingacademy.org.uk/events/nasp-...

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · Sep 8

Call for abstracts 💡

Next spring the National Academy for Social Prescribing and partners will be in Greece for the 2nd International Meeting of #ArtsPrescribing in HealthCare 🖌️

Contributions are welcome - find out more and submit yours by 15th October: prescribingart.gr

Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · Sep 1

Applications for the Arts Health Research Intensive 2026 are now OPEN ⭐ #AHRI26

Interested in #ArtsInHealth? Join us for an immersive week of developing knowledge, skills & contacts!

Learn more & apply 👇
sbbresearch.org/arts-health-...

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · Aug 27

We're #hiring! 📣

We're looking for an enthusiastic Social Prescriber/Research Assistant with #SocialPrescribing or youth work experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of research & practice!

Find out more & apply 👇
tinyurl.com/bdy24c2u

UCL – University College London

UCL is consistently ranked as one of the top ten universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2010-2022) and is No.2 in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

tinyurl.com

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · Aug 21

The proportion of Americans reading for pleasure daily has fallen by 40% over 20 years 📉 📚

Read new research from the EpiArts Lab, our collaboration with the University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine 👇

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

‘Deeply concerning’: reading for fun in the US has fallen by 40%, new study says

Over the last 20 years, the number of Americans who read daily for pleasure has seen a considerable decline

www.theguardian.com

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · Aug 15

New paper! 📝

We analysed data from 51 countries to explore global patterns in arts organisation membership and found that:
🌍 Membership is inequitable
📚 Education, income & age matter
📊 Migration & income inequality influence membership

Read more 👇
tinyurl.com/4xpvhraf

Global inequalities in arts, music or educational organization membership: an epidemiological analysis of 73,825 adults from 51 countries - BMC Global and Public Health

Background Arts and cultural engagement is a ubiquitous human behavior and considered to be evolutionarily and developmentally adaptive, with wide-ranging health benefits. Although levels of engagemen...

bmcglobalpublichealth.biomedcentral.com

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · Aug 13

‪Our colleagues at UCL are running a stakeholder workshop on Monday 6 October 2025 📅

The workshop is designed for professionals involved in delivering #SocialPrescribing and community health interventions

If that's you, check out the link below for more details and to sign up! 👇

NIHR PRU Behavioural and Social Sciences @nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social · Aug 5

As part of our OptICS project, we’re hosting an online stakeholder workshop on the 6th of October!

If you work in integrated care, be it service delivery, management or commissioning, join us to explore how behavioural and social science can support the sector.

🎟️ Sign up here: shorturl.at/LtFZA

Optimising Integrated Care Services (OptICS)- Online Stakeholder workshop

Do you want to help develop the future direction of integrated care? Reserve a spot to secure your workshop space.

shorturl.at

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Social Biobehavioural Research Group @ucl-sbb.bsky.social · Aug 8

ICYMI 📢

In our recent Social Prescribing Youth Network (SPYN) Member Meetup, we asked attendees to share their resource recommendations for #SocialPrescribing with young people 🔎

Check out the crowdsourced list on our blog 👇
sbbresearch.org/resource-rec...

A light teal graphic with a photo of a whiteboard with bright orange and yellow sticky notes on it, as well as a white bubble that reads: "Resource Recommendations for Youth Social Prescribing, crowdsourced in our latest Social Prescribing Youth Network Member Meetup".

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