GPs in one area to prescribe football matches as antidepressant alternative

GPs will offer patients with mild or moderate depression tickets to football matches as an alternative to antidepressants, as part of a new social prescribing option being piloted in Gloucestershire.

A total of 11 GP practices across Stroud will offer patients struggling with their mental health tickets to watch Forest Green Rovers FC when their season begins next month. 

Labour MP for Stroud Dr Simon Opher, a GP who used to be NHS Gloucestershire CCG clinical lead for social prescribing, created the pilot as part of the Football on Prescription initiative with Forest Green owner Dale Vince, a prominent Labour donor. 

He told Pulse that GP practices had responded positively to the idea and that the pilot could help reduce the prescribing of antidepressants.

And he said that as Football on Prescription is ‘a first of its kind’, the scheme will be ‘closely monitored’ to see if it is effective in helping combat social isolation and mild to moderate depression, ‘rather than turning straight to antidepressants’.

Dr Opher told Pulse: ‘Initially, we have delivered football on prescription leaflets to the 11 main GP practices in the Stroud constituency.

‘The response has been positive. Football may not be for everyone, but it’s important that we continue to expand our offer through social prescribing to reduce reliance on antidepressants at the first appointment.

‘Research shows that physical activity improves mental and physical health. We also know that social isolation plays a major role in poor mental health—and that community, connection, and shared experiences can help people feel less alone.

‘This initiative brings those two ideas together. It’s a form of social prescription—with football as the medicine.’

It is the latest initiative from Dr Opher who is a ‘pioneer of social prescribing’, according the Beyond Pills All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) he chairs. 

Dr Opher has previously used artists in his GP surgery and prescribed comedy sessions and gardening activities to patients to combat loneliness. 

Roughly four out of five patients continued with their recommended activities afterwards, according to Dr Opher.  

Commenting on the scheme, Mr Vince said: ‘It’s aimed at everyone struggling with their mental health, but especially men, who are statistically the hardest to reach. The leading cause of death in men under 50 is now suicide—and loneliness is often a key factor.

‘If a Saturday afternoon at a football match can help someone feel more connected and less alone, then that’s a powerful first step.’

Earlier this year, RCGP chair Kamila Hawthorne told Pulse about the importance of ‘non-medical interventions’ such as social prescribing which ‘positively impact the health of our patients and reduce the need for medication’.

In 2023, a Government report warned of patients being referred to green social prescribing initiatives whose health problems were too complex and required more specialised support. 

Dr Opher has previously written for Pulse on the disintegration of the GP role in out-of-hours services, and how the profession could take back control.