Doctors in a north-east London borough are to prescribe education courses instead of drugs to patients who are suffering from anxiety, depression or sleep disorders. Leaflets detailing the education on offer will sit alongside GP prescription pads for patients who agree to take the option.

For Joni Cunningham, principal of Redbridge Institute for community learning and skills, convincing the medics to sign up for the radical scheme was a major breakthrough. Like many adult and community learning (ACL) leaders, she is bemused by the failure of successive governments to take the lead and include education in a joined-up health and welfare service.

There is ample evidence of its value across the country, she insists: “You can see the personal benefits - and the health and welfare cost savings - in care homes that give the elderly learning activities that help them lead independent lives. Education can play an important part in so much health recovery.” 

The Redbridge work is part of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ (Bis) £20 million community-learning mental health initiative, launched in January. Under the scheme, 62 ACL centres in six areas of England will be piloting short courses to test the effectiveness of targeted adult education in supporting recovery from mental health problems. Some £5 million of the funding has been released this year, with the remaining £15 million due in 2016-17. The aim is to find cost-effective programmes that really work - and then share the ideas nationally. 

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