Table 1.

Summary of aims of social referral programmes (n=41)

Aim level	Core aim	Stated aim	Number of references
Individual-level aim	Improved mental well-being	To enhance skills/behaviours that improve mental well-being.29
		To help individuals retain/recover functional capacity to study or work.30
		To improve/address psychosocial health.31–35	25
		To improve mental health and well-being.5 18 20 23 29 36–46
		To improve patient quality of life.46 47
		To improve resilience, confidence, and self-esteem.44 48
		To improve spiritual well-being.5
		To support emotional needs.49
	Improved physical well-being	To empower and support individuals to choose a healthier lifestyle.46
		To improve physical health and well-being.5 17 20 23 31 37 38 40 42 50–53	16
		To improve self-assessed health status.54
		To support the self-management of long-term health conditions.38 50 55
	Improved social well-being	To increase connection to community-based support.29 37	21
		To improve/address psychosocial health.31–35
		To improve resilience, confidence, and self-esteem.48
		To improve social inclusion/engagement.20 23 30 32 38 41
		To improve social well-being40 42 52
		To support social needs/outcomes.19 36 49 53 56
	Other	To address practical needs, for example, employment.49	2
		To improve connection to nature.23
System-level aim	Optimised health service use	To broaden health service provision in the community.12	23
		To improve service use.32
		To increase take-up of community activities.29 38 44
		To optimise healthcare coordination.57
		To provide appropriate arts course recommendations.44
		To provide better management of psychosocial problems in primary care.47
		To reduce emergency department use/acute hospital care.17 35 37 51 58 59
		To reduce health service use.21 39 42 53 54 57
		To reduce hospital care use.22 38 59
		To reduce primary care service use.18 34 37 38
		To support the self-management of long-term physical or mental health conditions.44 50 55
	Decreased health service cost	To reduce cost associated with long-term health conditions.50	6
		To reduce health services costs.5 21 35 42 53
	Other	To reduce environmental cost (carbon footprint).21	1

Aims of social referral programmes, not study aims.