Wellbeing services sees Portsmouth people lead healthier lives

MORE than 1,500 people have become healthier thanks to a service promoting better lifestyles.
Portsmouth City Council's wellbeing service has helped hundreds of peoplePortsmouth City Council's wellbeing service has helped hundreds of people
Portsmouth City Council's wellbeing service has helped hundreds of people

Portsmouth City Council’s wellbeing service is celebrating its first anniversary and has helped 1,695 people to reduce bad habits.

Since its launch last October, it has helped support 856 people to quit smoking as well as helping a further 413 reach a healthy weight. Finally, 426 people have seen their drinking reduced.

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The service wanted to operate across the city in places that were easily accessible and now it is based in GP surgeries, community centres, schools, housing offices, supermarkets, church halls and at Queen Alexandra Hospital.

It offers one-to-one appointments, drop-in clinics and group sessions.

Councillor Luke Stubbs, Portsmouth City Council’s cabinet member for adult social care and public health praised the service. He said: ‘It’s great that the wellbeing service has seen so many positive outcomes in its first year.

‘The number of people it has supported to address their unhealthy behaviours is impressive and these numbers also reflect how much of a desire there is from residents to improve their health, which is encouraging.’

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In its first year, the service has worked alongside a number of organisations such as Portsmouth FC to promote healthier lifestyles. The club backed the Stoptober campaign encouraging fans to quit smoking for October.

Cllr Stubbs added: ‘I’m pleased to see the way that other organisations have embraced the wellbeing service, and are working with them.

‘I am also proud of the strong team that’s been created and the satisfaction they get out of helping residents to live healthier lives.

‘The positive feedback from clients is testament to what a great job the service is doing.’

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Users of the service have been full of praise too with 89 per cent describing their experience as very good and 85 per cent saying they would definitely recommend it to family or friends.

Sue and Geoff Phare, from Eastney, used the service to quit smoking in May. The pair had been smokers for 45 years.

Sue said: ‘I’m so pleased not to have smoked for several months now and I feel so much better.

‘My breathing has improved and I don’t get out of breath so much or suffer bad coughs and chest infections like I did.’

For more information on the free service call (023) 9229 4001 or email [email protected]