To provide an update on the progress of the implementation plan for the board’s strategic priority of ‘Good Mental Wellbeing (GMW) throughout lifetime’, attached as Appendix 1.

The Public Health Lead – Mental Health introduced the report and delivered the presentation 'Good Mental Wellbeing throughout lifetime (GMW), December update', including slides on: recommendations; update to the board on the Good Mental Wellbeing throughout lifetime Implementation Plan; and our ambitions and activity so far.

The Chairperson drew attention to Action 1.2.2, ‘Deliver targeted physical activity interventions to improve the mental wellbeing of children and young people’ as referenced in Appendix 1 - GMW implementation plan, and commended the various activities provided by Stride Active.

In response to a question about the reference to ‘£75,000 invested into a community solutions initiative to create meaningful connections for people to improve their emotional wellbeing – Herefordshire Together’, the Chair of Healthwatch Herefordshire reported that this investment contributed towards funding for twelve projects, including community shed, gardening, play group, and befriending initiatives.

The Corporate Director for Community Wellbeing welcomed the implementation plan and said it would be helpful to see the outputs of the outcomes framework.  Whilst acknowledging that some outcomes involved longer term measures, it was suggested that consideration be given to proxy measures which could be looked at on shorter timescales, perhaps utilising qualitative data such as feedback.  The Director of Public Health endorsed this suggestion and commented on the work being undertaken with partnership board chairs to explore outcomes and to identify any gaps.

The Voluntary and Community Sector representative commented on the positive feedback from participants and carers involved in physical activity interventions for people living with dementia; the Director of Public Health added that Halo Leisure had won an award recently.

The Vice-Chairperson said that, informed by the outputs, there would be a need to check the ambitions, particularly to question the level of ambition.  The Public Health Lead – Mental Health confirmed the intention to review the implementation plan once the needs assessment had been published.

The Executive Director of Strategy and Integration noted that Action 2.2.1, ‘Scope prevalence of Neurodivergent CYP in H&W to understand current and future needs’, contained the only reference to neurodivergence and, referencing recent comments by the Corporate Director Children and Young People about the need to come together as a system more effectively, suggested that further consideration of neurodivergence may be required.

The Chair of NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board drew attention to Action 1.3.3, ‘Raise awareness of the issue of suicide…’, and noted the value of online training provided by the Zero Suicide Alliance.  The Public Health Lead – Mental Health reported that a dedicated suicide prevention officer had been appointed and part of this work was around training and raising awareness.  The Chairperson commented that the Baton of Hope Tour 2025 would include Herefordshire on 2 October 2025 and noted that suicide in rural areas was a significant national issue.

Resolved:  That:

a)           The report, updated implementation plan and progress to date be noted;

b)          The need to ensure that all partnership organisations are clearly sighted on the implementation plan and expected outcomes, and references these across their own strategies and plans: both for adults and children and young people, be noted; and

c)           The board requests that consideration be given to:

§    the presentation of outputs of the outcomes framework, including the potential for shorter term measures, and

§    neurodivergence within the ambitions and actions.