Health and wellbeing support website has been launched by the county NHS

JOY, a free health and wellbeing support website has been launched to support people living and working in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland (LLR).

Funded by the local NHS, Joy combines services provided by the NHS, local authorities, and the voluntary and community sector all in one place.

Joy offers a diverse range of categories tailored to meet individuals’ needs. From fitness and art classes to carer support, diabetes self-help groups, food banks, counselling, and Age UK services, the exciting new website will provide a comprehensive array of services. These services are designed to bolster the communities of Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, setting Joy apart as a unique and engaging non-clinical health and wellbeing support service.

Rachna Vyas, Chief Operating Officer at the NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, said: “We are delighted to be launching the Joy website today, bringing together local support, in a single place, at the touch of a button.

“We particularly want to make it easier for people with the most need to find better help, whether it’s support for their mental health, wanting to be more physically active, or just finding support groups close to where they live. Our ambition is that Joy becomes a way that everybody connects, resulting in better mental health and wellbeing across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland.”

The Joy website operates on the concept of ‘social prescribing,’ a method that connects people to a variety of local activities, groups and services in their community to meet their practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. This approach is an effective and holistic way of addressing people’s needs, acknowledging that their health and wellbeing are largely influenced by social, economic, and environmental factors. By adopting social prescribing, Joy aims to provide a more comprehensive and effective support system for the community.

Joy is a free website for everyone to use and will be available at: www.LLRjoy.com