Lancashire Healthier Places Programme: Strengthening local action for healthier communities

The Lancashire Healthier Places Programme was launched as a two-year initiative to promote healthy weight and create healthier environments across the county. As part of the wider Healthy Hearts Strategy, the programme supports Lancashire’s commitment to reducing the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and improving long-term health outcomes.

From the outset, delivery focused on three core workstreams:

• Supporting districts to adopt the Healthy Weight Declaration as a framework for creating healthier places.

• Working with the out of home food sector to encourage responsible retailing and greater availability of healthier food and drink.

• Engaging communities through social movement campaigns to build demand for grassroots change.

Building on this foundation, the programme has been extended for a further year. The current phase places particular emphasis on system leadership and a place-based approach to creating healthier weight environments, recognising that sustainable change requires action across multiple sectors.

To strengthen collaboration across Lancashire’s 12 districts, a Community of Practice (CoP) has been established. This provides a dedicated forum for local authorities and partners to share learning, co-ordinate action, and consider policy levers that can support healthier environments. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the CoP is helping to build momentum behind a joined-up, systems approach to public health.

Earlier this month, the Lancashire County Council Public Health Team hosted a workshop with district colleagues and wider stakeholders. The session explored how the Healthy Weight Declaration can act as a driver for local system change. The workshop was chaired by the Lancashire County Council Public Health Team and featured contributions from colleagues representing local government, research, and public health practice, who shared perspectives on how the Healthy Weight Declaration can be used to support system-wide change.

Pendle Borough Council, the first district in Lancashire to adopt the Declaration as part of a place-based approach in June 2025, shared valuable insights from their journey. Their experience is expected to inform and inspire other districts considering adoption in the months ahead.

By continuing to bring partners together, build capacity and strengthen leadership, the Lancashire Healthier Places Programme is helping to create the conditions for healthier, fairer communities.

For further information about the ongoing Lancashire Healthier Places project, please email: nicola.calder@heg.org.uk