Welcome to the Wellbeing South East website

The South East is one of the healthiest and most affluent regions in England, but the continued presence of significant inequalities and new threats to health, such as the rising levels of obesity, mean there is no room for complacency. Health is everyone's business.

This website is presented to you by the Department of Health South East 's Healthy Weight Team and the BIG Lottery funded chances4change Programme Team.

This website supports those working to promote healthier liferstyles and those whose work impacts on physical health and mental wellbeing. It is one of a series of measures outlined in the South East England Health Strategy, aimed at ensuring that the South East becomes the healthiest place to live in the UK and one of the healthiest regions in Europe.

Practitioners from a range of professional and volunteer backgrounds, including regional and local Government, the NHS, education and skills, voluntary and community organisations, and businesses have called for a means of keeping up to date with policies, strategies and funding opportunities. You have also asked for case studies, a diary of forthcoming events and training courses, and the facility to find and share news with partners.

We hope you find that this website does all of that. Please contribute to it as it will be a richer resource if you do. Tell us what you think of it and how it could be improved.

About us

The Department of Health South East (DHSE), based at the Government Office for the South East, is the Department of Health's presence in the region. The DHSE is led by two regional directors of public health:

• Professor Yvonne Doyle, also the director of public health at South East Coast Strategic Health Authority, and
• Professor John Newton, the director of public health at South Central Strategic Health Authority

Members of the Department of Health South East work with partners and stakeholders to reduce health inequalities and improve the health and well-being of those living and working in the region.

The South East Healthy Weight Team

The South East Healthy Weight Team within DHSE are responsible for ensuring the region-wide implemention of the Cross Government Obesity Unit's national strategy Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives. Members of the team have specialist expertise in promoting physical activity, healthy eating and providing strategic support. We provide tailored support to Primary Care Trusts, Local Authorities and other regional Government teams and agencies.

The chances4change Programme Team

The chances4change team are based in South East Coast Strategic Health Authority and Portsmouth City Council. Members of the team have a range of project management, research and evaluation, and training and partnership development experience. Together we manage and co-ordinate the portfolio of 62 Lottery funded projects and ensure their sustainability. For further information about the programme go to the chances4change section of this website.

For further information about who we are and our work please contact the Healthy Weight Programme Administrator claire.williams@dh.gsi.gov.uk