ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the social role of museums and seeks to reposition museums as vital community assets supporting public health and community cohesion. The notion of community assets focuses on positive benefits as a mechanism for solving individual and community challenges, rather than the deficit model underpinning modern health and social care systems. The chapter also focuses on evaluating the commonalities and distinctions between social prescribing programs, with a specific focus on cultural and natural referral pathways. Drawing on case studies involving cultural activities and nature-based interventions, the chapter explores the overlap and synergies between natural and cultural capital in public health. Many arts and other community-based organisations have developed more formalised relationships with health and social care providers, offering schemes described as ‘social prescribing’. Social prescribing is the mechanism by which community assets can be formally incorporated into health and social care pathways.
