Everyone in Suffolk now has a unique opportunity to get fitter, healthier and happier after Healthy Ambitions Suffolk became the first organisation in the country to offer county-wide access to an innovative online programme designed to improve health and wellbeing.

The Healthy Ambitions Suffolk Health Manager, available through www.healthyambitionssuffolk.co.uk, has today gone live. The programme offers specially tailored help, support and advice which encourages individuals to take simple steps to improve their health.

Volunteers who have tested the award-winning programme have already given it rave reviews, describing it as “absolutely brilliant and so easy to use”. It is now hoped thousands of others from across Suffolk will follow their lead and take the first steps towards making their own healthy ambitions become a reality.

The programme was developed for ealthy Ambitions Suffolk by GetFit Wellness (www.getfitwellness.com).

“I really liked the way the Health Manager allowed me to review my current lifestyle – and didn’t just concentrate on my lack of fitness!” said Nicola Brunning, who lives near Felixstowe.

“The feedback at the end was reassuring and gave me some great information on what I’m already doing right, as well as some useful pointers on what I could be doing differently. I’ve set myself some achievable goals on improving my flexibility and cardiovascular fitness as a direct result of this feedback.

“The guidance I’m getting through the programme is perfect for me as it’s delivered direct to my desktop – which is ideal when you’re a busy working mum without much time to spare!”

And Julie Morgan, who has also trialled the programme, echoed her views, saying: “I felt that the Health Manager was absolutely brilliant! It was interesting, so easy to use and very informative. I know several other people who will be really keen to give it a go!”

Everyone logging onto the programme for the first time will be asked to answer a short survey about their current health, lifestyle and family history. They will then be provided with a picture of their health now, which gives details of areas where they are doing well and those which could be improved.

Participants are asked to pick one personal health goal, such as taking more activity, sleeping better, eating more healthily or relieving stress, depression or anxiety. They will be then given access to range of online tutorials and weekly emailed encouragement to help them meet that goal.

Sally Hogg, head of health improvement partnerships at NHS Suffolk, said: “We are delighted to have become the first organisation in the country to offer this innovative and award-winning programme across a whole county. Absolutely everyone who lives in Suffolk can now benefit from it.

“The programme has been designed to be clear, accessible and easy for everyone to use. Anyone who logs on will get all of the help and support they need to achieve their own personal health and wellbeing goals, and will also be able to find a huge range of information about local sports clubs, exercise classes and support groups.

“I would encourage everyone to give the Healthy Ambitions Suffolk Health Manager a try. It will be the most useful website you have ever visited!”