Healthy Ambitions Suffolk has scooped a prestigious national award in recognition of its efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of everyone who lives and works in the county.

The innovative project has become one of just three organisations and the only partnership to pick up a coveted Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) “Public Health Promotion and Community Wellbeing” award in 2009.

To win the award, project leads were asked to submit evidence showing that Healthy Ambitions Suffolk met tough judging criteria, made up of 13 different sections. This included demonstrating that top level leadership and health promotion and wellbeing strategies were in place, as well as proving the public had been involved throughout the project.

This evidence was examined by RSPH before going through a rigorous and robust peer review process, carried out by senior members of NHS organisations from across the country. Key figures from the Healthy Ambitions Suffolk project then took part in a “panel challenge”, where they were asked to answer a series of questions about the project before a final decision on the award was made.

“We are absolutely delighted to have become one of only a handful of organisations from across the country to have received one of these high profile awards,” said James Hehir, chairman of the Healthy Ambitions Suffolk board.

“Since the project was launched last year, a huge variety of partner organisations have been working closely together to help those who live and work in the county to make changes and improve their lifestyles. This accolade is a real endorsement of everyone’s efforts and we hope that it inspires even more people to take the first steps towards realising their own healthy ambitions.”

The RSPH awards are designed to highlight the importance of health promotion and community wellbeing, as well as sharing good practice across the UK. As a result of winning the award, the Healthy Ambitions Suffolk project will be highlighted as an exemplar at conferences taking place around the country.

Dr Heather Davidson, development director at RSPH, said: “Healthy Ambitions Suffolk is a very exciting long term project that has the potential to make a deep impact and a difference to the many varied communities across Suffolk.

“It is a very good example of ‘joined up’ thinking and action planning between all the partners involved. We are delighted that HAS is a RSPH award winner.”

The award lasts for three years. After this time, Healthy Ambitions Suffolk will be able to reapply – but will need to go through the rigorous appraisal process for a second time.

“Receiving this award from the RSPH is a huge affirmation of the project’s main aims and shows that, by working together, we can make a real difference to people’s health, wellbeing and quality of life,” said Dr Peter Bradley, director of public health for NHS Suffolk and Suffolk County Council.

“We hope that by showcasing this project across the country, we can encourage everyone to make those small changes which can have a huge impact on their health.”

Sally Hogg, head of health improvement partnerships at NHS Suffolk, said: “Not only is winning this award hugely gratifying for everyone who has worked so hard to get this important project off the ground, but it also shows that Healthy Ambitions Suffolk has resonance on a national stage.

“This is a real opportunity for everybody who lives and works in the county to get involved. Healthy Ambitions Suffolk is not an exclusive club – it’s open to everyone. By pulling together, we really can achieve our goal of making Suffolk the healthiest county in Britain by 2028.”

The awards will be presented during a ceremony in London in September.

Cllr Rosie Clarke, portfolio holder for health and wellbeing with Suffolk County Council, said: “This is great news for Suffolk. This prestigious award recognises the great partnership working of Healthy Ambitions Suffolk and shows we are on track for the future.”