Suffolk's 'Feel Good' Service Celebrates Three Years of Health Improvements
The initiative has successfully supported thousands in quitting smoking, managing weight, and increasing physical activity across the county.
By Rebecca Flint
••5 min read
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Generic image of a group of people enjoying a wellbeing walk in a park, with trees and green spaces in the background.
Suffolk's 'Feel Good' healthy lifestyles service is celebrating its third anniversary this October, having provided free support to thousands of residents.
The Feel Good Suffolk service, launched in October 2023, offers free support for residents looking to stop smoking, manage their weight, and become more physically active. The initiative is a collaboration between Suffolk County Council’s public health team and several district councils, including Babergh District Council, East Suffolk Council, Ipswich Borough Council, Mid Suffolk District Council, West Suffolk Council, and Abbeycroft Leisure.
Recent data indicates that Feel Good Suffolk has played a significant role in reducing smoking rates in Suffolk. Over 3,800 people have been supported to quit smoking since the service began. Smoking rates in the county have now fallen to 8.5 per cent of the adult population, down from 10.5 per cent the previous year, placing Suffolk below the national average.
Beyond smoking cessation, the service has also facilitated significant health improvements in other areas. In the past three years, 1,901 individuals have achieved clinically meaningful weight loss (at least 3% of their body weight), and 2,721 people have received support to increase their physical activity levels. Additionally, wellbeing walks, run in partnership with The Ramblers, have recorded over 32,200 attendances.
Demand for the service continues to rise, with a 22 per cent increase in overall referrals in the past year compared to 2023/24, and a 78.5 per cent rise in smoking-related referrals since its first year.
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"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."
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"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."
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"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."
Feel Good Suffolk actively engages with the community, attending events and working to tackle health inequalities by reaching out to diverse groups. Key community links include collaborations with NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board, local hospitals, GP practices, pharmacies, and various leisure providers such as Ipswich Fit, Everyone Active, and Places Leisure. The service also provides training on healthy lifestyle conversations to organisations like Citizens Advice and job centres, and partners with community groups including Anglia Care Trust and Turning Point.
A notable initiative is the Five Dinners service, offering free access to a meal planning website aimed at encouraging healthier eating, saving money, and reducing food waste.
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"This might sound cheesy, but I feel like Holly (Her Feel Good Suffolk Advisor) probably saved my life!"
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"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."
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"Before I would just hurt all the time and feel so lethargic but now, I feel like my body has life in it again!"
The service offers comprehensive support for smoking cessation, including one-to-one advice, group sessions, medication, free apps, and access to Allen Carr seminars. For weight management, a 12-week programme focusing on lasting changes to eating and activity habits is available, with options for in-person or online delivery, personalised support, and a self-guided route. Free access to the Five Dinners meal planning service is also provided.
Physical activity support includes a 12-week exercise referral programme at local leisure centres for individuals with health conditions, funded activity sessions, and a network of over 90 regular wellbeing walks across the county, run in partnership with The Ramblers. These walks have seen over 3,200 sessions since October 2023, offering opportunities for activity, social connection, and exploring local green spaces.
Based on information from the official source: West Suffolk Council (14/10/2026)
