It’s a beautiful spring morning, warm enough to have the windows open, I can hear the birds in the garden and can see sunny yellow daffodils in bloom. I love this time of the year, the promise of new beginnings and the knowledge that summer is just around the corner.

It feels like the perfect time to pause and reflect on what has been an incredible ten years of LiveWell Dorset. That’s right, 10 YEARS, since LiveWell Dorset opened its phone lines to the people of Dorset and what a journey it has been. 

We launched on Bournemouth Beach on what was a not so sunny April day in 2015, there was wind, there was rain, but spirits were high, and the Mayor of Bournemouth joined us to celebrate day one of the service.  

Back then we were a small team with a big ambition to help people lead happier healthier lives by introducing a new way of doing things. Firstly, by having one organisation that people could get help from for different lifestyle needs and secondly by supporting people to understand why they might be facing challenges, what the barriers were to change and then providing guidance on how to move forwards. We wanted to use the latest behaviour change science in every aspect of the service. 

Fast forward 10 years and those aims are still there, it feels more important than ever to provide one front door where everyone can go for help if they want or need to make a lifestyle change, whether that be to manage their weight, move more, prepare for an operation, or any other goal that leads people to living well for longer.  Many services are feeling the pressure and the work we do helps people take control of their own health and wellbeing which in turn alleviates some of that system pressure.  

Our ‘front door’ looks a little different these days as people can chose to connect with us online as well as over the phone, but personalised help and support remains at the heart of what we do. The team is also a little bigger as two years ago we started delivering Targeted NHS Health Checks which has been a successful initiative that is changing lives.  

I feel sure we have another ten years in us! There is still so much to do with our population facing more and more health challenges every year. I personally have been on the team for 8 years now and still feel so grateful and proud to be part of such a dedicated workforce who are committed to doing something really positive for our community.  

Happy birthday LiveWell Dorset and big thank you to all who have worked with us and beside us.