A new strategy aims to help everyone in Bolton live a healthy, connected and fulfilling life, supported by strong communities, active environments and quality homes.
The Joint Local Health and Wellbeing (JHWS) Strategy 2026–2029 sets out how organisations across the borough will work together to improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities.
The strategy has been approved by Bolton's Health and Wellbeing Board, which brings together leaders from local government, public health, social care, the NHS, housing, the voluntary and community sector, and other key partners.
The strategy places a strong emphasis on prevention, recognising that helping people stay healthy is just as important as treating illness when it occurs.
It provides a shared framework for partners to take collective action on the factors that have the biggest impact on people's health and wellbeing.
The Health and Wellbeing Board has identified three priorities where its collective leadership can add the greatest value:
- Reducing social isolation by helping people build connections, strengthen relationships and feel a greater sense of belonging in their communities.
- Making physical activity part of everyday life by creating active environments and making it easier for people of all ages to move more through daily activities.
- Supporting people to live in safe, warm and healthy homes that promote health and wellbeing and help reduce inequalities.
Bolton continues to experience significant health inequalities - nearly half of residents live in neighbourhoods among the 20% most deprived nationally, while life expectancy remains more than two years lower than the England average for both men and women.
There is also a gap of more than ten years in life expectancy between the borough's most and least deprived communities.
At the same time, Bolton benefits from strong communities, an active voluntary and community sector, and a shared commitment across organisations and residents to improving health and wellbeing outcomes for everyone.
Cllr Sean Fielding, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Adults and Community Housing, and Chair of the Bolton Health and Wellbeing Board, said:
"Bolton is a borough with strong communities, a proud history and real ambition for the future.
“However, we know that too many residents still experience unfair differences in health and wellbeing depending on where they live and the circumstances they face.
"This strategy provides a shared direction for how organisations across Bolton will work together to reduce health inequalities and improve the conditions that support good health.
"By focusing our collective leadership on social connection, physical activity and healthy homes, we are concentrating our efforts on areas where partnership working can have the greatest impact.
"Improving health and wellbeing is everybody's business and we look forward to working alongside residents, communities and partners to build a healthier, fairer and more connected Bolton."
The full strategy is available at: Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026-2029