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RecruitingACTRN12625001407482

A single arm trial of social prescribing with families and young people on loneliness and community integration in 10 sites across Queensland

Sponsor

The University of QLD

Enrollment

600 participants

Start Date

Jul 1, 2025

Study Type

Interventional

Conditions

Other public health - loneliness

Summary

Social prescribing is a holistic approach to healthcare that connects individuals with community resources and activities to address the social determinants of health, such as loneliness, isolation, and inactivity. The QLD Social Prescribing Trial is a first of its kind roll out of social prescribing through neighbourhood and community centres in 10 sites across QLD, funded by the Department of Communities under the Putting QLD Kids First initiative. The scope for inclusion is expectant mothers and parents/carers of children aged 0-18 years, and the children and young people aged 2-18 years experiencing loneliness and social isolation. These NC centres have been funded to engage social prescribing link workers, who will identify unique opportunities and pathways to enhance local families and young people’s quality of life by addressing their social needs. Over two years, we aim to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of this statewide social prescribing trial in Queensland. The objective is to evaluate the implementation process, track progress of families / individuals, and the overall success, sustainability, and scalability of the trial after implementation, with a focus on outcomes and economic analysis (cost / Quality of Life Years)

Eligibility

Sex: Both males and femalesMin Age: 2 Yearss

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

Loneliness and social isolation can have serious effects on mental and physical health, particularly for families and young people. Social prescribing is a relatively new approach where healthcare workers connect people with community activities and social support — not just medical treatments. This trial is rolling out across 10 neighbourhood and community centres in Queensland to test whether this approach can reduce loneliness and help families feel more connected. The program is specifically designed for expectant mothers, parents and carers of children, and young people aged 2 to 18 who are experiencing loneliness or social isolation. Trained link workers at each centre will work with families to identify community activities, groups, and resources that match their individual needs and interests. The study will follow participants over two years to measure changes in wellbeing, quality of life, and connection to community. You may be eligible if you are an expectant mother, a parent or carer, or a young person aged 2 to 18 in Queensland who is experiencing loneliness or social isolation. This trial is funded under the Putting QLD Kids First initiative and represents a meaningful effort to treat the social roots of poor health — not just the symptoms.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

Link worker social prescribing (e.g. Dingle et al., 2022), which involves referring a family, child or young person (FCYP) with identified social needs from self, education, health or community sector

Link worker social prescribing (e.g. Dingle et al., 2022), which involves referring a family, child or young person (FCYP) with identified social needs from self, education, health or community sector professionals to a link worker based in a community center who will screen the family or young person's loneliness, social interests, and barriers to community integration. They will work together to find a suitable community social activity to match the FCYP's interests. Four common types of activities are physical activity (e.g. family joins the weekly 5km parkrun at their local park), arts and culture (e.g. child and parent attend weekly music sessions at their community centre), nature based (e.g. families sign up for monthly fishing outings with borrowed equipment and an instructor on hand), and educational / skills training groups (e.g. English conversation classes for CALD parents and children). The link worker may also refer clients on to health or social services to meet needs beyond the scope of social prescribing. Contact with the link worker may occur face to face in the community centre or by phone or internet, as suitable. There is no restriction to the number of contacts or time spent with the link worker, and the duration of the active intervention is 12-weeks,

Locations(1)

QLD, Australia

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ACTRN12625001407482