New social enterprise ‘a first’ for Northamptonshire

New social enterprise First for Wellbeing officially launched on Friday 1 April, bringing an integrated health and wellbeing service to Northamptonshire.

The company is a partnership between Northamptonshire County Council, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Northampton, and is considered to be the first of its kind for delivering such a diverse range of services for an entire county.

First for Wellbeing will offer a more holistic approach to individual health and wellbeing, providing a range of services including weight management, stop smoking, financial management and emotional wellbeing.

First for Wellbeing Managing Director Janet Doran said she was delighted to be finally open for business and looks forward to helping people realise their ‘best self’.

“We have a fantastic opportunity here to make a difference – to build up a true community of wellbeing experts across the county to make real and lasting changes for the people of Northamptonshire,” she said.

“Our aim is to deliver a seamlessly-integrated set of services to help people live the healthiest, happiest and best life they possibly can.

Ms Doran said wellbeing is more than just addressing poor health.

“Wellbeing is how we feel about and experience our life,” she said.

“It is about having a profound sense of happiness and balance across all aspects of our life – from physical and emotional health to our work and home life – and is really about being our best self, or the best we possibly can be.”

First for Wellbeing, which has an investment of £32 million, has been set up to address – and prevent – long-term poor physical and mental health in the county.