Warwickshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026-2031

Warwickshire County Council, on behalf of the Health and Wellbeing Board (with district and borough councils, NHS partners and Healthwatch), sought public views on the draft Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026-2031. The aim was to test and refine the three county‑wide priorities and place‑based priorities (Rugby, South Warwickshire, Warwickshire North), identify any missing focus areas, and gather suggestions on who we should work with to deliver them. The draft strategy was informed by Joint Strategic Needs Assessments, the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2024, and three county workshops. Engagement ran via an Ask Warwickshire online survey (with paper/alternative formats) from 15 August - 21 September 2025, supported by targeted promotion (libraries, VCSE networks, social media, newsletters and stakeholder emails). The primary audience was people who live and/or work in Warwickshire, including residents and stakeholders across communities that may be under‑represented.

Response level: 

282 responses (275 online, 7 paper). Most were members of the public (76.2%), with higher representation from Rugby (34.4%) and Warwick District (28.0%); respondents were predominantly female (61.0%), White British (81.2%), and 29.1% reported a disability/long‑term condition. No respondents were under 18. 

Priorities: 

Agreement with the three county priorities was high: 76.5% agreed/strongly agreed (n=215/281). By place: Rugby 70.8% (n=68/96), South Warwickshire 83.8% (n=98/117), Warwickshire North 72.7% (n=40/55). 

Key countywide themes: 

• Older people/ageing well should feature more prominently (n=39) 
• Address gaps in medical care (GP/dentist access, timeliness; frequent references to Rugby’s Hospital of St Cross) (n=34). 
• Stronger prevention and early help across the life course (n=28). 
• Support for specific groups (e.g., children and young people, parents/carers, older people, disabled/SEND, neurodivergent people, LGBTQ+, rural/farming communities). 
• Affordability and access are major barriers, for both healthy food and exercise, and people want clearer, more coordinated pathways and shorter waits (esp. for mental health and neurodiversity assessment). 

Key priority themes: 

Priority 1: Mental health and wellbeing: 

• More targeted support (young people, parents/carers, older people), school‑based support, community‑based help and social connection, action on waiting lists/timeliness, better use of green space and physical activity, and attention to social media/online harms. Partnerships most suggested: mental health charities, schools, community groups. 

Priority 2: Tackling factors that cause poverty and inequalities 

• Help people into employment/skills (incl. adult learning), improve public transport and infrastructure, housing quality and homelessness support, address medical access gaps, and focus on county‑wide inequalities. Partnerships most suggested: homelessness and anti‑poverty charities, schools, local councils/government. 

Priority 3: Move more and eat well 

• Cost is the biggest barrier - ask for cheaper/free activities, lower‑cost healthy food, more healthy eating education, work with supermarkets/vendors, invest in outdoor space and active travel, and use schools and community programmes to engage families. Partnerships most suggested: schools, sports facilities/clubs, charities. 

Place-based messages: 

• Rugby Place: strong call to improve local medical provision (St Cross/A&E access), plus active travel, safer public spaces, and affordability barriers to activity. 
• South Warwickshire: emphasis on ageing well and reliable/affordable transport, with continued focus on prevention and hidden rural inequalities.  
• Warwickshire North: focus on deprivation/cost of living, creating safe, welcoming environments, and support for older people and specific groups. 

Partner working messages (who respondents want HWBB partners to work with to deliver the strategy): 

• Charities/VCSE (mental health, homelessness, anti‑poverty, carers, condition‑specific), schools/education, community groups/hubs, local councils & NHS/GPs, sports facilities/clubs, food banks and housing associations, and local employers (for good work and workplace wellbeing). 

Click here to read the full Analysis Report.

The results of the public engagement have been shared with each of Warwickshire’s three Health and Wellbeing Place Partnerships. The Place Partnerships will now develop place-based delivery plans using the results of the public engagement, local insight and wider intelligence that will translate the strategy into a set of meaningful actions, with measurable outcomes, tailored to reflect the unique needs and strengths of each place. 

Click here for more information on Place Partnerships.

The strategy is due to be considered for approval by the Warwickshire Health and Wellbeing Board in May 2026.