The innovative project to make Suffolk the healthiest county in England has this week been handed a prestigious national award in recognition of its efforts to improve people’s health and wellbeing.

Healthy Ambitions Suffolk was one of just three organisations to receive a coveted Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) “Health promotion and community wellbeing organisation and partnership” award during the ceremony in London last week.

James Hehir, chairman of the Healthy Ambitions Suffolk board, said: “It gave me great pleasure to collect the RSPH award on behalf of everyone who has worked so hard to get the Healthy Ambitions Suffolk project off the ground.

“This accolade is a real endorsement of the efforts made by a wide variety of partner organisations, who have all been working closely together to help those who live and work in the county to make changes and improve their lifestyles.

“We truly believe this project has the potential to make a huge difference to many people’s lives, and it is gratifying to know that view is shared by RSPH.”

To win the award, project leads submitted a portfolio of evidence to show that Healthy Ambitions Suffolk met RSPH’s tough judging criteria. 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 answered a series of questions about the project before a final decision on the award was made.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have received this award, which gives this important project resonance on both the local and national stage,” said Sally Hogg, head of health improvement partnerships with NHS Suffolk.

“We hope that it will inspire even more people to take those all important first steps towards living a healthier lifestyle.”