Exploring contextual barriers and enablers for the potential involvement of voluntary sports clubs in social prescribing: a qualitative case study in Denmark.

BACKGROUND: Social prescribing necessitates not only effective referral processes from general practices and a linking mechanism to community service options but also a vibrant community and voluntary sector. Besides ensuring stakeholder buy-in from voluntary organisations, such as voluntary sports clubs, social prescribing also seems to require supportive contextual factors, including competencies and organisational resources necessary to promote patients' sustained engagement. This study aims to explore contextual barriers and enablers for the involvement of voluntary sports clubs in social prescribing, which may be essential in illuminating the potential role of Danish voluntary sports clubs in future social prescribing initiatives. METHODS: The study utilised a collective case design, focusing on five Danish voluntary sports clubs selected for maximal variation. Data collection involved approximately 55 h of ethnographic observations of varied physical activity options geared towards adult participants (above 18 years) as well as those aged above 60 years, along with focus groups with stakeholders such as club members, instructors, and board members. A thematic analysis was conducted for each case to explore contextual features of voluntary sports clubs, followed by a cross-case analysis. RESULTS: Our findings suggest that Danish voluntary sports clubs can facilitate access to community connections beyond merely promoting physical activity options. Flexible participation may enable referred individuals to engage in physical activity options or take on community roles, allowing engagement based on individual needs and promoting social ties. However, some sports clubs appear to have the same individuals participating across multiple programmes within the club, which may limit outreach to underrepresented target groups unless this is strategically prioritised. CONCLUSION: While outreach to underrepresented target groups can be administratively challenging for volunteers in sports clubs, intersectoral collaborations, such as social prescribing, may enhance visibility, referral, and engagement for these groups in voluntary sports clubs. Nevertheless, prioritising capacity building and supportive structures that align with voluntary sports clubs' organisational culture may be essential to alleviate volunteer strain and broaden access to community-based physical activity options, potentially contributing to a more sustainable involvement of voluntary sports clubs in social prescribing initiatives.