People from across the county will be given all the help and inspiration they need to take those first few steps to a healthier lifestyle when they are welcomed aboard the Healthy Ambitions Suffolk bus during the next few weeks.

The innovative project will give people attending some of the county’s biggest events the chance to take part in a host of exciting and entertaining activities to illustrate the simple steps they can take towards improving their long-term health.

As well as using age-progression software to find out what they’ll look like in 30 years’ time, bus ‘passengers’ can make their own healthy drinks at the smoothie bar and test their fitness using a Wii. They will also get the chance to pick up lots of information on a variety of subjects, such as stopping smoking, eating healthily and boosting their activity levels.

The project comes after the bus successfully toured the county’s schools last year. During just two weeks, around 1,600 11 to 16-year-olds were educated, encouraged and entertained whilst on board, and offered excellent feedback, describing the bus as “amazingly super awesome-tastic”.

Barbara Gillich, health improvement facilitator with NHS Suffolk, is leading the project. She said: “The bus was a great success last year, and helped us to spread some really important healthy living messages in a fun and informative way. That’s exactly why we’re bringing it back for a second time.


“We hope that the project will take the Healthy Ambitions Suffolk message to an even bigger audience so that we can encourage and inspire people from across Suffolk to take those all important first steps towards living a healthier lifestyle.


“As such, I’d urge anyone who sees the bus out and about over the next couple of weeks to drop in and see us. Who knows, it may provide you with all the motivation you need to start making changes.”

The bus will be at the following events over the next two weeks:

– 10 July: Dance East Big Dance event, Christchurch Park, Ipswich, 10am to 12.30pm. From 1pm, the bus will move to the rear of Jerwood House, Dance East’s waterfront building.

– 11 July: Indian Mela, Christchurch Park, Ipswich, 12noon to 6pm (health checks, including blood pressure, height, weight and BMI, will be available from 10am).

– 24 July: Vegetable Games, People’s Community Garden, Maidenhall Allotments, Halifax Road, Ipswich, 11.30am to 4pm.

– 28 July: Big Day Out, Recreation Ground, Haverhill, 10am to 4pm.

Anyone who would like help and advice on following a healthy lifestyle, or wants to use the online health manager service, should visit www.healthyambitionssuffolk.nhs.uk