GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Council is taking a joined up approach to helping people lead healthier lifestyles, including support to stop smoking and lose weight.

The council is about to sign a contract with ICE Creates for a new integrated healthy lifestyles service, which will be available from January 2017.

Currently, the county council has a range of services to provide help to be healthy.

The new contract will see a more joined up approach; meaning people will be able to get help to stop smoking, lose weight, cut down on alcohol or be more active from the same service.

The new service will focus particularly on people who need most help to improve their health and wellbeing and are at the greatest risk of getting ill as a result.

Online information and support will be available for people who can manage their own lifestyle changes, whilst those who are at a greater risk will get help from dedicated lifestyle coach.

The new service will also look to help future generations stay healthy, by working with pregnant women and young families to help them to have a healthy lifestyle right from the start.

Front-line staff, such as support workers and other health professionals will be trained to offer information on healthy lifestyles to people who are already using their services.

Cllr Andrew Gravells, cabinet member for public health, said: “This new service will make a real difference in helping people in our county stay healthy.

“We know that’s not just good news for them, but it also helps the NHS and councils avoid significant costs of dealing with ill health further down the road.

“We have seen some fantastic results in the county already and a combined service tackling all lifestyle concerns at once will make that even more effective.”

Further information about how to access the new service will be provided before its launch in January.