Free Online Talks
Rooting for Green Prescribing on Campus Date: Monday 17 March Time: 12:00-12:45pm
Julze Alejandre is a doctoral researcher and a Scottish Government Hydro Nation scholar at Glasgow Caledonian University. He is currently developing Scotland’s first Blue-Green Prescribing Programme for Primary Mental Healthcare using blue social prescribing and eco-directed prescribing of antidepressants. Have a virtual lunch with Julze to hear about his work and how Social PrescribED is working with partners to expand and enhance the programmes available to campus and local communities.
Prescribe Culture: Library and University Collections in Health Improvement
Date: Tuesday 18 March Time: 12:00-12:40pm
Pop online and discover what health and wellbeing resources and support programmes are available through the University of Edinburgh Library and University Collections to both the campus and the wider local community. You will hear about Prescribe Culture, the Library Service’s Wellbeing Collection and Leisure Reading Library and the Makerspace. Importantly you will hear from some of our Prescribe Culture referral partners in the Wellbeing Team and the Richard Verney Health Centre, as well as hearing how joining Prescribe Culture has impacted the individual members.
Canadian Students and Social Prescribing
Date: Wednesday 19 March Time: 13:00-13:40pm GMT / 9:00-9:40am AST
Ellen McGarity-Shipley is an Assistant Professor at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. A big part of Ellen's research program is social prescribing, and she is currently starting an initiative to design a social prescribing approach for primary care in Nova Scotia.
Ellen will journey through her involvement in the Canadian social prescribing movement including how she became passionate about it, how she co-founded a regional social prescribing initiative in Kingston, Ontario, Canda, her experiences co-leading the Canadian Social Prescribing Student Collective, and her hopes for the future of social prescribing.
Social PrescribED Week 2025: Canadian Students and Social Prescribing Tickets, Wed 19 Mar 2025 at 13:00 | Eventbrite
Prescribe Culture Tastival in Social PrescribED Week
To book your place on a Prescribe Culture Tastival session, please just email PrescribeCulture@ed.ac.uk
| Date / Time | Prescribe Culture Programme 6 Tastival | Venue |
Friday 14 March 9-10am
| Step Back and Reflect (Online) In this taster session Ruthanne will encourage and inspire you to step back from your day, today. Prepare to try a little time-travel through the University Heritage Collections and benefit from a ‘staycation’ from the Highlands to the Scottish Borders circa 1800.
| Online / Zoom |
Saturday 15 March 11am-12pm
| Musication: Sound for Wellbeing Join Sylvain for an uplifting workshop exploring how music can be a powerful tool for well-being and self-discovery. This interactive session blends rhythm, song-writing, and self-expression to create a space for growth, connection, and creativity—no musical experience needed, just an open mind!
| St Cecilia’s Hall 50 Niddry Street
|
Tuesday 18 March 3.30-4.30pm | Step Back and Reflect (In-person) In this session we’ll be taking inspiration from some objects found in the University Rare Books collection, which will act as a way in to exploring reflection on resilience – expected the unexpected!
| St Cecilia’s Hall 50 Niddry Street |
| Date /Time | Prescribe Culture Gatherings Tastival | Venue |
Thursday 13 March 1-2pm
| Explore the Rooting Exhibition This exhibition considers the University Art Collection through the lens of nature and the environment; to demonstrate the different ways artists consider, reflect and represent the environment and nature through their art.
| Exhibition Gallery University Main Library 50 George Square |
Saturday 15 March 1-3pm
| A visit to The Writers’ Museum Explore the lives of the giants of Scottish literature at the Writers’ Museum, in the Old Town. We’ll then head to the nearby Deacon’s House Cafe for coffees and conversation.
| Writers Museum Lady Stairs Close Royal Mile |
Prescribe Culture Programme 6s
Prescribe Culture’s Programme 6 options are available via self-referral or referral by one of our health or social care partners. The referral is to a 6-week block of 90-minute workshops, for small groups of no more than 8 individuals, with reflective or creative activities, inspired by heritage stories found in the University’s collections and buildings.
You do not need any previous experience of engaging with heritage to benefit from Prescribe Culture’s Programme 6. At heart, Programme 6s are all about providing weekly respite from any worries and difficulties members are currently experiencing and it offers an opportunity to connect with others and the world around you, with a more personalised approach accessible though small group format.
Feedback from current Prescribe Culture members includes:
“Through the Step Back and Reflect Programme 6 series, I got great comfort from understanding that how I have been feeling is not odd or unusual – people for centuries have felt this way. Plus, the sessions are just fun too!”
“During the week I tend to be feeling tired and uncertain and worried about my work load, but after my Programme 6 sessions I feel enthusiastic and more positive. It has also allowed me meet like-minded others”
Prescribe Culture Gatherings have one purpose – to support mental wellbeing and increase sense of connectedness by providing monthly opportunities for people to come together, meet new friends and socialise, with and through, culture and coffee. All Prescribe Culture Gatherings consist of a cultural activity that is free or low cost, and always includes a window for coffee and chat, at a café in the area. All Prescribe Culture members are very welcome to bring along a friend, if they wish. However, the Gatherings are supported by a host who will ensure everyone feels welcome.
To register interest and receive more information on Social PrescribED Week, simply email
To register interest and receive more information on Prescribe Culture programmes and resources, simply email
