Suffolk’s healthy living service marks three years of helping Suffolk to feel good

14 Oct 2026

This October marks three years since the launch of Feel Good Suffolk.

Feel Good Suffolk is the healthy lifestyles service which provides free support to help people stop smoking, to manage their weight and become more physically active.

Feel Good Suffolk is run through a partnership of Suffolk County Council’s public health team, Babergh District Council, East Suffolk Council, Ipswich Borough Council, Mid Suffolk District Council, West Suffolk Council and Abbeycroft Leisure.

Since launching in October 2023, Feel Good Suffolk has supported over 3,800 people to stop smoking. New data released this month shows the service has played a key role in helping to further reduce smoking rates in Suffolk to 8.5 per cent of the adult population. This has reduced from 10.5 per cent the previous year and means Suffolk smoking rates are now below the national average.

Through its unique partnership, Feel Good Suffolk has been able to make a huge impact on the health of Suffolk residents. People can refer themselves for support or many people also get referred by GPs and other health professionals.

It’s not just smoking where the service is making a difference. Over the past three years Feel Good Suffolk has also helped 1,901 people to achieve a clinically meaningful weight loss (at least 3% of their body weight). 2,721 people have also accessed support to increase their physical activity and Feel Good Suffolk wellbeing walks run in partnership with The Ramblers have seen 32,200 attendances over the past three years.

Demand for Feel Good Suffolk service continues to grow with Feel Good Suffolk receiving 22 per cent more referrals over the past year than in 23/24 and 78.5 per cent more smoking referrals than in its first year.

Georgina Howe, Strategic Manager for Feel Good Suffolk, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating three years of Feel Good Suffolk. The impact we’ve made on people’s lives shows what’s possible when public services work together around the shared goal of improving people’s physical and mental wellbeing. We’re seeing first-hand what a different small, positive changes has on people’s health, confidence and wellbeing.  It has huge benefits for wider society too.

“We have a brilliant team working across Suffolk who are empathetic and non-judgemental, spending time to get to know our clients and work out how best to help them.  We’re really proud of what’s been achieved so far, and that’s thanks not only to our staff but also to the partners and organisations we work alongside across Suffolk every day.  It's never too late to make positive changes to your life so when you're ready, we're here to help so please contact Feel Good Suffolk if you’d like to find out more.”

Cllr Donna Higgins, Cabinet Member for Families and Communities, at West Suffolk Council said: “Feel Good Suffolk is improving and empowering lives, helping people get healthier and happier, which supports both their physical and mental wellbeing. It is also helping to reduce some of the associated health risks and costs to the NHS and social care that come with people smoking, being overweight or inactive. West Suffolk is working collaboratively on this project with all other councils across Suffolk and Abbeycroft to provide this service, which is Free to Suffolk residents, and we look forward to seeing it continue to improve lives for residents across the county.” 

On top of delivering its key services, Feel Good Suffolk also works hard in the community by attending events and tackling health inequalities by reaching out to new groups and communities. This work has included:

• Creating stronger links with NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board, local hospitals, GP practices and pharmacies
• Working closely with Abbeycroft Leisure and other leisure centre providers in Suffolk including Ipswich Fit, Everyone Active and Places Leisure
• Delivering training to many organisations to help them have supportive conversations with their service users about healthy lifestyles - including Citizens Advice, job centres and other council departments
• Building partnerships with a range of community organisations across the country to help more people access our services - including Anglia Care Trust, Turning Point, libraries, food banks and more
• Launching the Five Dinners service in Suffolk, providing free access to this meal planning website which can encourage people to eat more healthily, saving money and food waste.

Some comments from people who Feel Good Suffolk has helped:

Sophie from Ipswich who was helped to stop smoking: “This might sound cheesy, but I feel like Holly (Her Feel Good Suffolk Advisor) probably saved my life!”

Vic from Stowmarket: “I am so glad I no longer smoke. If you are wanting to become smoke-free I would encourage you to get in touch with Feel Good Suffolk – you have nothing to lose, and it will make you feel better.”

Lucy from Bury St Edmunds who was helped to become more active after serious illness: “Before I would just hurt all the time and feel so lethargic but now, I feel like my body has life in it again!”

More information about Feel Good Suffolk services

Smoking: Feel Good Suffolk has a team of dedicated expert advisors across the county who support anyone wanting to quit and offer a range of options. This includes one-to-one support, stop smoking groups, vaping, medication, free apps and free access to the highly acclaimed Allen Carr seminars.

Weight management: There is a 12-week healthy weight programme to help you make lasting changes to eating and activity habits. This can be delivered in person or online. Feel Good Suffolk also offers personalised support and there is a self-guided option for anyone who prefers to work at their own pace and make healthy changes in their own time. Feel Good Suffolk also offers free access to the Five Dinners online personalised meal planning service to everyone in Suffolk.

Increasing activity: Support from Feel Good Suffolk includes a 12-week exercise referral programme at local leisure centres for people with health conditions and funded activity sessions at leisure centres.  There is also a programme of wellbeing walks run in partnership with The Ramblers with over 90 regular walks available across the county and over 3,200 walks have taken place since October 2023. There are walks to suit different ages, abilities and fitness levels so there’s something for everyone. The walks are not only great for encouraging people to be more active but are great opportunities to meet new people and explore the Suffolk’s green spaces. 
 

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