Young people’s voices shape Suffolk’s 2025 Annual Public Health Report

Suffolk’s young people took centre stage today at the launch of the 2025 Annual Public Health Report, which tells the story of how youth social action supports better public health with recommendations for health and wellbeing partners.
Published: 15 Jan 2026
Woman with a yellow tshirt saying 'The Power of Youth' surrounded by young people
Bury St Edmunds Hack

The event brought together partners from across the public, voluntary and community sectors to listen to young people who were involved in creating the report, using hackathon events to explore what matters most in their communities.

Attendees discussed how youth social action improves physical and mental health, with potential to address health inequalities across Suffolk.

For the first time, Suffolk’s Annual Public Health Report is predominantly video based, sharing real-life stories and experiences from young people across the county. A key part of the report focuses on three youth-led “hack” events, delivered in partnership with Volunteering Matters, bringing together young people and local partners to talk about what helps young people thrive and what gets in the way.

Conversations at the launch highlighted the importance of putting young people at the heart of decisions that affect them and how to put the report’s recommendations into action.

Stuart Keeble, Executive Director of Public Health and Communities at Suffolk County Council, said:

“This year’s Annual Public Health Report represents an important step forward for Suffolk. By listening directly to young people, we have a clearer understanding of the challenges they face and what supports their wellbeing. The report shows that youth social action can play a central role in improving health and reducing inequalities. Our focus now must be on acting on what young people have told us and working with them to make lasting improvements.”

The launch is part of a programme that will support young people aged 11–20 (and up to 25 with additional needs) to design and lead projects that make a positive difference in their local areas.

It will focus on increasing access to high-quality youth-led opportunities, particularly for young people in rural, coastal, low-income, minority and marginalised communities.

The 2025 Annual Public Health Report, including all videos and supporting case studies featured in the report, can be viewed here: https://www.healthysuffolk.org.uk/jsna/annual-public-health-reports/annual-public-health-report-2025