Early success of innovative programme to tackle health inequality will see ‘Live Well’ expand across Glasgow
Live Well Community Referral service, established to help combat health inequality in Glasgow, has delivered such strong, early indicators of success that it has secured funding to expand citywide. The innovative pilot programme has received £1 million from Glasgow City Council to create provision across the whole city, over the next three years.
Live Well, which was trialled in the north-east of the city, has shown that by working with local communities it is possible to remove barriers and help people access a variety of activities and services, which can improve their physical and mental wellbeing.
Managed by Glasgow Life, the charity that leads culture and sport in Glasgow, Live Well will initially focus on 10 priority areas in the city, those with the highest levels of health inequality.
Over the coming year the team will build on those areas that participated in the initial programme – Calton in the east of the city – to deliver a life-changing service in Denniston, Drumchapel and Anniesland, Garscadden and Scotstounhill, Milton and Possil, Springburn and Roystonhill, Govan, Greater Pollok including Nitshill, Govanhill and the Gorbals, and Castlemilk and surrounding areas. In addition, the team will work with some GP Practices in Easterhouse.
Following the initial roll out Live Well will continue to expand to ensure people who live in all parts of the city can access the programme by summer 2026.
Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life, said: “The success of the Live Well pilot speaks volumes and merits the huge investment Glasgow City Council is making in this incredible programme. Live Well is a key part of Glasgow Life’s vision to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of local communities across the city. Our ambition for this expansion is to see the programme grow from a small trial of this new approach to a citywide offer. One that will be able to support up to 2,500 participants every year, to engage with cultural and physical activities and enjoy the many wellbeing benefits that brings.”
Glasgow Life has recruited additional Live Well advisors who have joined the existing team. Advisors will work with people to address their needs in a holistic way, by supporting individuals to co-create a wellbeing plan focussed on achieving the goals that are most important to them and by supporting people to take greater control of their own health and wellbeing. The ambition is to expand Live Well to become a sustainable and mainstream, citywide initiative, which could support around 2,500 people each year. Resource will be focused within communities with the greatest levels of deprivation.
People can self-refer, with other referrals into the programme coming from a range of partner agencies, including Community Link workers within GP practices, Glasgow Helps and Police Scotland. Live Well will work closely with voluntary organisations in each community to encourage more referrals into Glasgow Life programmes and activities, and they will support participants to enable them to engage with activities based within their own community. The team will also continue to work with the city’s Health and Social Care Partnership to offer specific family wellbeing support to several GP practices identified across Glasgow. The main reasons for referral throughout the pilot phase were to increase physical activity; connect with the community; and improve low mood.
Participants are linked with a Live Well adviser who works with them to find local activities they’re interested in, and even attend with them if they feel their first visit could be a bit daunting. This includes walking groups, sports and fitness sessions, family activities, learning and skills classes, volunteering opportunities, arts and creative workshops, and museum visits.
Last year an independent evaluation of the pilot programme found 100% of participants felt their general happiness had improved. 98% of people questioned said they were supported to identify individual wellbeing goals, with 75% going on to achieve them. Almost every participant agreed that taking part in activities had helped them to feel less lonely and be more physically active. Crucially 96% agreed they would not have taken part without Live Well support.
Throughout the planned phased three-year expansion, ongoing evaluation will allow the Live Well team to refine the model, whilst gaining important insights into the impact the programme has on participants. Conducted by an external organisation the evaluation will also seek to establish the social return on investment for local communities and stakeholder organisations, such as the NHS and Police Scotland. By spring 2027 the programme will be embedded across the city.
Andrew Olney, Director of Libraries, Sport and Communities at Glasgow Life, added: “Everyone involved in Live Well is delighted it will be extended across Glasgow, and that anyone in any part of the city will be able to access the programme and the many benefits it offers. Our advisors are based in local communities. We know that changing outcomes for communities is only ever possible when you work with the citizens of that community placing them at the very heart of leading that change. People are the experts in what their daily challenges are, and by shifting the relationship to allow an individual to take charge of their life and what they want to do, we have seen real success. The Live Well team is hugely excited to be expanding across the entire city.”
For more information on the programme, visit www.glasgowlife.org.uk/communities/live-well-community-referral