Findings: what keeps you happy, healthy and well?

Earlier this year, the local Integrated Care Board asked residents for feedback on what keeps us all well, what support we need, and what barriers to keeping well exist. Here's what you said.

Lifestyle, relationships, community, and access to services were common themes which came out very strongly from a wide variety of people with different needs, abilities, backgrounds and experiences.

Between 1st July and 25th September 2022, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) visited 57 community events and recorded over 30 video interviews. An online survey attracted 3,080 responses, with more than 21,000 comments.

Highlights

What keeps you happy, healthy and well?

Many people say this is about a healthy and active lifestyle (70%), relationships and social interaction (60%), with quality of life (23%) also important along with other factors like meaningful, stable employment (12%).

What gets in the way of you staying happy, healthy and well?

A lack of a healthy lifestyle (31%) and a lack of access to quality care (29%) are key factors, with poor work-life balance (23%) and deprivation/poverty (23%) also contributing.

What do you need more of to stay happy, healthy and well?

A more active lifestyle (42%) coupled with access to quality care (34%) are seen as key with reduced poverty (16%) also important.

What would you prioritise for people living here?

Access to quality care scored highly (43%) while a healthy and active lifestyle (32%) and improved public services (23%) are also important to many.

The results of this research will considered by the teams developing the strategy for the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care System (ICS). The ICB hope the draft strategy will be available in spring 2023.

The full set of results can be viewed on the ICB's website.