Prevention programmes improve health and wellbeing across North Somerset | North Somerset Council
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Prevention programmes improve health and wellbeing across North Somerset
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Thousands of people in North Somerset are benefiting from programmes that support healthier lifestyles where they live, learn and work, according to the North Somerset Council Director of Public Health Annual Report 2026
The Director of Public Health report is produced annually, and this year highlights the positive impact of North Somerset Council’s Healthy Settings approach, which works with nurseries, schools and workplaces to create environments that support good health and wellbeing, to help prevent ill health before it develops
Over the past year, the council’s Healthy Early Years programme reached more than 550 children, the Healthy Schools initiative supported over 8,000 pupils, and the Healthy Workplaces scheme engaged more than 28,000 employees across North Somerset
The report also highlights the important role these programmes play in reducing health inequalities across North Somerset, helping ensure that people who face the greatest barriers to good health have access to the support and opportunities they need to live healthier lives
The Healthy Early Years programme works with nurseries and early years childcare settings to create healthier environments by supporting staff with training, encouraging healthy eating and physical activity, promoting good oral health and emotional wellbeing, and helping families build healthy habits from the earliest years
Healthy Schools supports primary and secondary schools to embed health and wellbeing across school life, providing guidance, training and rellbeing and positive mental health, to help pupils achieve their full potential
The Healthy Workplaces programme also delivered significant support to employers over the past year, including 1,196 workplace health checks, support for 52 organisations, funding for physical activity initiatives in eight workplaces, and six employer learning and networking events
Councillor Jenna Ho Marris, North Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Homes and Health, said: “We want North Somerset’s communities to be caring, healthy and safe, where we all help each other to live well.
“Good health is about much more than access to healthcare. It’s shaped by the places where we live, learn and work. Good health is not equal – in North Somerset there may be 10 years difference in life expectancy between people living in different streets in the same town or even a village.”
“This report demonstrates the real, positive difference our Healthy Settings programmes are making for thousands of our residents. For example a Healthy School is not just about the school nurse! There are so many activities and topics to try. By bringing health and wellbeing into everyday settings, we’re helping people at different stages of life stay healthier wherever they are. The feedback has been brilliant – it’s great to see so many new participants and I look forward to seeing the community grow.”
The Director of Public Health report recognises the importance of partnership working in improving health outcomes, highlighting strong collaboration between early years settings, schools, employers, Best Start Family Hubs, Primary Care Networks and voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations
Matt Lenny, North Somerset Council’s Director of Public Health added: “Prevention is such an important part of improving health and wellbeing across North Somerset which is why we are embedding these programmes across the life course. Our achievements are only possible because of the strong partnerships we’ve built and reflect the commitment of all the organisations involved. We are so grateful for everyone’s continued dedication to creating healthier communities and making healthier choices easier for people throughout their lives.”
The North Somerset Council Director of Public Health Annual Report 2026 is available to download from https://www.betterhealthns.co.uk/professionals/better-everyday-health-where-we-live-learn-and-work
North Somerset Council is encouraging more early years childcare settings, schools and employers to join the Healthy Settings programme and play their part in improving the health and wellbeing of the communities they serve. Organisations can access free support, reww.betterhealthns.co.uk/professionals
