NORTH Somerset residents are being urged to complete a health survey being sent to 5,000 households from this week.

The Health and Wellbeing Survey, run by North Somerset Council, helps the authority understand the health and wellbeing needs of residents – shaping future decisions and services.

Funding for the survey came from the government to help the council understand the needs of the population better, focussing on the post-pandemic period, and the associated impacts on the health and wellbeing of people in the district.

Health bosses said survey will enable the council to understand better the needs, experiences and feelings of residents around their health, wellbeing and identify any issues, with the insights will then be used to make decisions about future provision, and reduce inequalities.

Households receiving the survey have been chosen at random and will be emailed the survey link to complete.

There is also the option to request the survey in different formats from Public Perspectives – the company conducting the survey on the council’s behalf.

Focus group work with children and young people will then take place in the coming year, as well as the establishment of a citizen’s panel.

Cllr Jenna Ho Marris, executive member for homes and health at the council, said: “If you receive a copy of the survey, please complete it as soon as you can. We need the results to fully understand the health and wellbeing needs of residents across North Somerset.

“This will also shape important work that we are planning to do to reduce health inequalities across our area.

“It is 10 years since we conducted a survey of this kind. We will be able to compare how things have changed over time. We also plan some focus groups about the health and wellbeing of our children and young people.

“This grant is also supporting getting the North Somerset Citizens’ Panel going again, which is another way to have regular conversations with our community.

“This work will help us decide where we need to focus our money, time and resources to support the people in our communities.”