Social Prescribing at Holy Sepulchre London
A Place of Connection and Community Wellbeing
Holy Sepulchre London—The National Musicians’ Church—is committed to being a welcoming place where all can thrive. Alongside our worship, music, educational and community work, we are increasingly recognised as a place where people can experience meaningful social connection, creative expression, gentle activity, and personal support which can, as commented by NASP “help change the circumstances that can make people unwell. It can empower people to manage existing health problems, to get the right benefits or get back into employment”.
As social prescribing pathways continue to develop across the NHS, we are actively exploring how our programmes can support link workers, GPs, community organisations, and local health agencies in improving wellbeing outcomes for people in the City of London and beyond.
Working with Link Workers, GPs & Health Partners
We know that social prescribing is expanding rapidly—and that evidence, pathways, and expectations are evolving, and at a time of increasing challenge to public services, there is also increasing evidence to confirm that social prescribing can take pressure off the NHS by reducing the need for GP appointments and for medical prescriptions. Therefore, we are:
Open to partnership working with social prescribing link workers and PCNs
Inviting academic partners to help us measure outcomes and contribute to research
Developing structured referral-friendly activities
Building relationships with City and London health networks
Seeking expert input on how heritage-rich spaces can best contribute to wellbeing.
We recognise that churches hold unique assets—community trust, beautiful buildings, heritage, creativity, and hospitality—and we want to steward these responsibly and collaboratively for public benefit. If you are a GP, link worker, health professional, charity, or researcher interested in exploring social prescribing with us, we would welcome conversation, so please do contact Fr Nick (Office@hsl.church) here at Holy Sepulchre London.
We have made much progress already and our unique and carefully designed programme, that has been developed with our communities, including those with lived experience of isolation, poverty, and marginalisation, for our communities, includes the following activities:
Our Offerings for Social Prescribing
Warm Welcome Space
A calm, beautiful, heritage environment where people can gather, rest, read, and enjoy refreshments. The sanctuary-like setting of a Grade I listed church provides a place of peace and community connection.
Community Choir & Singing Opportunities
A weekly community choir with community activities that support breath regulation, emotional expression, confidence-building, and a sense of belonging—especially valuable for those experiencing stress, isolation, or health challenges.
Music, Art, Creativity & Heritage Engagement
A family of intergenerational, inclusive and culturally rich programmes. The strands combine hospitality, music, storytelling, creativity and belonging that draw from the church’s rich musical and historic identity. Creativity and heritage storytelling can offer grounding, purpose, and gentle stimulation.
Guided Heritage Tours
We will soon be soon be piloting some regular tours for differing groups, exploring the church —from its medieval roots to its role as the National Musicians’ Church and home of the Royal Fusiliers Memorial Chapel, as well as the history of the local area as we explore the various green spaces in the Benefice. These offer cognitive stimulation, social connection, opportunities for intergenerational learning and much more.
Quiet Space & Reflective Practices
A number of difference spaces are available in the church and in the various outside green spaces, for contemplation, prayer, or simply quiet presence—supporting people managing anxiety, bereavement, or moments of change and challenge in their lives.
Community Events & Shared Hospitality
Opportunities for social connection, meeting new people, and reducing loneliness.
Why This Matters for Wellbeing
Research increasingly demonstrates that:
Belonging reduces loneliness and improves resilience
Culture and heritage can strengthen identity and meaning-making
Music supports emotional regulation and cognitive health
Creativity improves mood, concentration, and social confidence
Warm, safe community spaces reduce stress and social isolation
Our experience reflects this. We regularly see visitors:
Renew confidence and social skills
Develop new friendships
Find meaning in heritage and music
Improve emotional wellbeing
Return weekly because they “feel at safe and at home here”
For more details or enquiries, please contact Fr Nick (Office@hsl.church) Holy Sepulchre London.
Get involved!
Why not come along and get involved? Would you like to volunteer to help at one of activities? Please email our Community Development Worker, Sarah Radford, sarah.radford@hsl.church, or visit our volunteering page. Sarah, Fr Nick, and the team look forward to welcoming you and getting to know you.
We are proud to be one of the first 100 Mayor of London’s Dementia Friendly venues.
We are grateful for those who have, or are, financially supporting us, including The Culture Mile BID, Landsec, GenerosCity, M&G, The Thomas Franks Foundation and Barchester’s Charitable Foundation.
If you would like to support our projects financially, please visit our giving page, or email Fr. Nick nick@hsl.church.
Location
Holy Sepulchre London
Holborn Viaduct
London
EC1A 2DQ
Opening Hours
Our general opening hours are as follows:
Monday - 11am to 3pm
Tuesday - 8.30am to 2.30pm
Wednesday - 8.30am to 6.30pm
Thursday 8.30am to 2.30pm
Friday - 10am to 3pm
Saturday -Hours may vary
Sunday - 10.30am to 4pm (Morning Service only)
Public transport
We are fortunate to be surrounded by excellent public transport options. The nearest stops are:
Bus – the number 8, 25, 46, 242, and 521 buses stop outside the church
Thameslink – we are opposite the north entrance of the City Thameslink
Central Line – St. Paul’s tube station is a 5 minute walk
District (south) and Circle Lines – Blackfriars is a 7 minute walk
District (north), Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, and (soon) Crosslink – Farringdon station is a 7 minute walk
Car – Smithfield Car Park (£3/hr) is a 5 minute walk away and on a Sunday there are unregulated yellow lines and parking bays near by. Driving into the City midweek is not for the fa int-hearted though…