A service supporting Suffolk residents to make healthier choices has helped over 2,000 people to improve their health since its launch in October 2023.

And it has been praised by senior Babergh councillor John Ward, the authority's acting leader.

He said: "Feel Good Suffolk gives our residents more flexibility when accessing services to improve their health and wellbeing. If you're looking for support and advice on a range of issues including weight loss, help to quit smoking and how to be more active, Feel Good Suffolk is there to help."

The scheme, a partnership bringing together Suffolk County Council, Ipswich Borough Council, East Suffolk Council, Mid Suffolk and Babergh District Councils and West Suffolk Council, working closely with NHS Suffolk and North East Essex (SNEE ICB) Integrated Care Board and the Norfolk & Waveney Integrated Care Board, provides residents with access to services, supporting them to stop smoking, manage their weight and to be more physically active.

To date, Feel Good Suffolk has helped around 730 people with support to quit smoking, over 1,300 to manage their weight and more than 470 to be more active.

Suffolk resident Leah Wright was referred by Feel Good Suffolk onto the GP referral scheme at her local leisure centre.

She said "The referral system was fantastic! I saw my doctor for a referral, received a call back within a couple of days and I was at my first appointment within a week."

Joining the GP referral scheme is Leah's first step in returning to exercise following recovery from cancer.

She said: "The fact that you get a free membership for three months through Feel Good Suffolk has helped me to get started."

Leah now uses the gym three times a week. She said about her GP referral instructor: "She is a star, helping me to work out which exercises will most benefit my health. Her support throughout the programme really makes you feel you can do things."

Thanks to a dedicated website at www.feelgoodsuffolk.co.uk, people can find the information they need to make important changes to their health.

Specialist Feel Good Suffolk Advisors can also provide tailored support for those who need it.

Residents can find out more, and take a first step to improve their health and wellbeing, by visiting www.feelgoodsuffolk.co.uk or by following Feel Good Suffolk on Facebook or Instagram for the latest updates.

Cllr Craig Rivett, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Public Protection at Suffolk County Council said:

"Feel Good Suffolk is an important service to support people to make often fundamental changes to improve their health. The number of people being helped is testament to the joint vision by Suffolk partners to work together to make a lasting difference to residents' wellbeing."

Cllr John Cook, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Communities and Sport, and chair of the partner Portfolio Holders Leads Group, said:

"We're extremely proud of the new Feel Good Suffolk service. Working with local councils, healthcare professionals and local groups across the county, Feel Good Suffolk gives residents flexibility and choice about the types of support services available to help them to make changes to improve their health and wellbeing."