THE CHALLENGE
Across Gloucestershire, lifestyle-related health inequalities were driving demand on local services — with smoking, inactivity, poor diet and low mental wellbeing hitting deprived communities hardest.
Commissioners needed a county-wide, place-based model that delivered measurable outcomes, built local capacity, and shifted from short-term fixes to long-term community enablement.
OUR APPROACH
ICE and partners co-created Healthy Lifestyles Gloucestershire (HLS) — a seven-year, county-wide service built on insight, co-design, and collaboration.
Bringing together residents, NHS partners, and community organisations, HLS was shaped around real local needs. Grassroots engagement built trust, while community insights informed messaging and delivery — making it feel “by Gloucestershire, for Gloucestershire.”
Partnerships expanded access, created new referral routes, and aligned with district priorities on mental health, obesity, and inequalities — embedding sustainability from day one.
To drive lasting impact, over 1,000 frontline staff were trained in MECC, MHFA, and healthy lifestyles support. Partners received tailored toolkits and creative assets to embed consistency and confidence across the system.
Using an insight-led, multi-channel approach, HLS combined behavioural campaigns with community outreach. Digital tools, including a user-friendly website, social media, and Stoptober, made access simple through self and professional referrals.
Local influencers amplified reach and authenticity, ensuring the service felt inclusive, accessible, and community-owned.
THE IMPACT
- Of the clients who lost ≥3% weight, 35% also reduced alcohol significantly, 76% increased activity levels and 25% quit smoking
- For clients who quit smoking, 16% also lost ≥ 3% weight, 25% reduced alcohol significantly and 54% increased activity levels
- Of those clients who increased activity, 59% lost ≥3% weight, 35% reduced alcohol and 44% quit smoking
Evidencing the power of the integrated service supporting people holistically
Tackling Health Inequalities
- Reached people living in poverty, with disabilities, and older adults.
- Multilingual campaigns and community ambassadors ensured equity and inclusion across Gloucestershire’s diverse population.
Sustainable System Change
- Co-design and Ownership: Built with communities for long-term sustainability.
System Leadership: Worked across organisational and grassroots levels to foster alignment and Replicable and Scalable: The HLS model provides a blueprint for other localities seeking integrated, outcome-driven approaches.
Ready to explore what’s possible next?
“Amazing training session today! I have learnt a lot, I’ve learnt to understand different opinions and ways of communicating with others. Lovely and friendly ladies. Would recommend the training to others.”
Training participant
1-2-3
activity joins up all other lifestyle changes
74%
achieved 2 or more lifestyle changes
68%
improved their wellbeing
"The HLS model provides a blueprint for other localities seeking integrated, outcome-driven approaches."
Training participant
