Exploring Social Prescribing and the Opportunity for Digital Friendship Platforms
Description
Project Overview:
This research project will explore the role of social prescribing in addressing loneliness, social isolation and wellbeing challenges in the UK, the US and selected international markets. Social prescribing refers to the practice of connecting individuals to non medical support, community activities and services that improve social, emotional and physical wellbeing.
The project will assess how governments, healthcare systems, insurers, employers and community organisations are using social prescribing to address issues such as loneliness, mental health, inactivity and preventable health costs. Students will investigate the maturity of social prescribing markets, funding models, referral pathways and evidence of effectiveness across different countries.
Alongside this, the research will examine the emerging opportunity for single sex digital friendship platforms that help people build meaningful real world friendships. The focus will be on platforms designed to move people from online interaction to offline connection through shared interests, local activities and facilitated introductions.
Key areas of investigation should include:
• The current size, structure and growth of social prescribing in the UK, US and internationally
• Existing loneliness, mental wellbeing and social isolation challenges, with supporting statistics and trends
• How healthcare providers, insurers, employers and governments currently address social isolation
• The role of digital tools in supporting social prescribing outcomes
• Competitive analysis of friendship, community and interest-based platforms, including strengths, weaknesses and gaps in the market
• Exploration of single sex approaches: potential advantages, challenges, safeguarding considerations and adoption barriers
• Evidence on the impact of real-world friendship and social connection on wellbeing, productivity and health outcomes
• Potential partnership and commercial opportunities with healthcare systems, employers, insurers, charities and local government
Research Questions:
- How developed is social prescribing in the UK, US and other leading international markets?
- Where are the greatest unmet needs relating to loneliness and friendship formation?
- Could digital friendship platforms play a credible role within social prescribing ecosystems?
- What opportunity exists for single sex platforms focused on helping people form real world friendships?
- What barriers, ethical considerations and commercial challenges would such platforms face?
Expected Deliverables:
• Written report with findings and recommendations
• Market comparison of UK, US and global approaches
• Competitor and ecosystem analysis
• Opportunity assessment for digital friendship platforms
• Recommendations for partnerships, pilots and future research
Guidance for Students Taking On This Project
If you’re planning to submit a proposal for this project, here are some pointers to help you build a strong foundation, from academic literature to data sources.
1. Familiarise Yourself With Social Prescribing
Start by understanding the concept of social prescribing and why it has become an important topic for healthcare systems, employers, and policymakers.
You could also explore how social prescribing differs between the UK, US, and other international markets.
2. Useful Academic Frameworks
You may use established market research frameworks to structure your approach. Competitor analysis is essential to understand how existing Digital Platforms and Friendship Ecosystems perform. PESTLE Analysis can provide a comparative insights between the UK and US markets.
Additionally, review the academic frameworks and research to identify whether there are relevant existing models for digital friendship platforms.
3. Useful Data Sources
Depending on your university’s access, these databases are useful.
- Statista (loneliness, wellbeing, healthcare, and digital platform trends)
- Euromonitor (Passport) consumer and wellness trends
- NHS England resources on social prescribing
- Office for National Statistics (ONS) loneliness and wellbeing datasets
- Pew Research Center (particularly for US social and digital behaviour insights)
4. Recommendations
Your final report should move beyond describing the market.
Consider:
- Where unmet needs appear to exist
- Potential advantages and limitations of single-sex friendship platforms
- Partnership opportunities with healthcare providers, employers, insurers, charities, and local authorities
Support recommendations with evidence from both market research and academic literature.
5. Next Step
Prepare a short proposal (Project Proposal Guide) outlining your strategy to tackle this project. Your proposal helps you secure a place and a scholarship.
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40 days left to apply
