North West

Dr Michelle Howarth is a Senior Engagement Fellow at Edge Hill University with a specialist interest in social prescribing and using nature-based, person-centred approaches to promote health and wellbeing.

Michelle is passionate about fostering personalised care to support people with long-term conditions and leads the National Social Prescribing Network Special Interest Group for Nursing and chairs the national PerCIE group, through which she is actively campaigning to raise awareness of social prescribing and salutogenic, personalised approaches amongst nurses, social care, AHPs & medics through research, curriculum development and placement opportunities.

She has led many funded projects exploring the value and impact of PIVO placement expansion on student learning and future integrated workforce development. She is recognised nationally and internationally for her expertise and work.

Michelle has collaborated with national organisations to develop standards for Social Prescribing Outcomes, Link Worker Competencies and, more recently, analysed the potential for expanding public health placements in non-traditional contexts.

Michelle is the Chair of the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board Shared Decision-Making Council, actively campaigning to raise the profile of social care nursing and the need for integrated provision to make a positive difference.