Communities asked to help partners understand their health, community and wellbeing needs

Communities in south Shropshire are being asked to take part in a survey, to share their thoughts and experiences on what would make their community a healthier and better place to live.

The survey aims to seek the views from people of all ages – living in and around Bridgnorth, Church Stretton, Cleobury Mortimer and Craven Arms – around what makes somewhere a good place to live, what are the biggest concerns, and what can be most improved?

The call to action forms part of the council’s ongoing Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JSNA) programme. All councils are required to undertake a JSNA to assess the health and social care needs of the local population, to help improve the physical and mental wellbeing of Shropshire’s residents and communities. It is carried out in partnership with the voluntary and community sector, and the local NHS.

Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care and public health, said:-

“As a council we must carry out assessments to find out the health and wellbeing needs of our communities, to help us to plan and commission the best possible services for residents.

“So far we have been able to use the results of the surveys to build a detailed overview of the health and wellbeing needs in six of our market towns and surrounding areas; and this has already led to positive planning outcomes that will benefit the lives of the people who live there.”

“Following on from the success of our last ‘place-based’ JSNA launches, the next round of community engagement is taking part in Bridgnorth, Church Stretton, Cleobury Mortimer and Craven Arms.

“We want people, in and around these towns, to help us and our partners understand what community, health and wellbeing means for you. Tell us the good and not so good where you live. You know you and your community needs best, so do please let us know by completing our survey, and encourage your family and friends in the area to do the same.

“Your views are vital to help us and our partners ensure your communities have access to support and opportunities that are right for you.

“As with many councils elsewhere, we are facing unprecedented financial challenges, and this insight will, more than ever, help us in ensuring that we are able to meet our communities’ current and future needs.”

To find out more and take part in the survey visit https://shropshire.gov.uk/ShropLocalHealthandWellbeingSurvey

The surveys will close on Sunday 21 April 2024.

You can find out more about Shropshire’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment on the JSNA webpages on our website. 

Further information

The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment is a helpful tool that the council and its partners use to paint a picture of the diverse communities that live in our county, and the ways that we can best support people to live healthier lives.

It is known that only 10% of our health and wellbeing is actually affected by healthcare, and that it is just as important to consider the broader factors that impact our day to day lives too.

In Shropshire, the ‘place-based’ Joint Strategic Needs Assessment is being used to build profiles of 18 key Place Plan areas, mainly market towns and their surroundings.

The assessment is being developed by using data about the health and wellbeing of the population, and by understanding the views of our population through a health, wellbeing and community survey. Local people can take part in online, or in person with our community wellbeing outreach team.

So far Highley, Oswestry, Bishop’s Castle, Whitchurch, Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Wem, Market Drayton and Albrighton have completed the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment survey, and the programme is now moving on to Bridgnorth, Church Stretton, Cleobury Mortimer and Craven Arms.

The survey takes account of a wide range of factors that are known to impact on health and wellbeing, including housing, equalities, environment, and relationships. These factors are known as the wider determinants of health.

The ‘place-based’ Joint Strategic Needs Assessments for Shropshire will continue to progress over the next 12-18 months, and local Shropshire Councillors will help to engage their communities as they are scheduled for assessment.