Lifestyle Medicine Jersey received funding through the CareTech Challenge to develop an online platform (App) that supports health, wellbeing and social connection through evidence-based lifestyle interventions and digitally connected neighbourhoods/parishes.

The aim is simple: make trustworthy, practical health support accessible to everyone, and strengthen the social connections that make positive change achievable. Through digital tools, coaching and parish-led activity, the platform will help islanders prevent and manage chronic conditions — while also increasing social connection, confidence and community spirit.


The Challenge

Chronic health conditions place a growing strain on healthcare systems everywhere, including Jersey. Up to 80% of these conditions can be prevented or improved through practical lifestyle changes — yet many people struggle to access support, know what to trust, or feel motivated to sustain change.

And there is no blame here. Our lifestyle habits are shaped by our environment, culture, routines and the pressures of daily life. Change is hard, confusing, and often lonely without the right support.


The Innovation

Our project brings together local lifestyle medicine expertise and award-winning digital technology already transforming communities in the UK.

The platform connects islanders to:

  • Lifestyle medicine education and evidence-based resources
  • Local doctors, healthcare professionals and trained health coaches
  • Jersey’s existing network of community services and wellbeing partners
  • Parish neighbours for encouragement, connection and inspiration

One example: we’ve partnered with Jersey Sport to make their Move More walking groups easily visible and bookable on the app — with plans for in-person coaching “on the move” in the future.

While the CareTech funding focuses on supporting adults 65+, the platform will be available to all adults. Intergenerational connection is powerful: anchoring young people in their community while giving older islanders purpose, influence and belonging.

The Impact So Far

For the past two years we’ve delivered our Live Well lifestyle medicine courses across the island. Every week we hear life-changing stories from people who have reversed chronic conditions, reduced or stopped medication, improved their mental health or regained energy and confidence.

One participant told us recently: “Your course brought me back to life.”

The digital project means we can now reach many more islanders in a sustainable, scalable way — crucial for keeping our programmes free and accessible for everyone, and essential for reducing Jersey’s health inequalities.

Launching fully in the new year, islanders can expect:

  • Online health coaching
  • Lifestyle medicine education
  • Parish-based support and events
  • Locally developed courses, including a co-produced Healthy Ageing programme shaped by older islanders themselves
  • Opportunities to become volunteer health champions and support others

Lessons Learned

We have been testing the platform since August with past participants alongside healing neighbourhoods in Sheffield. Feedback has been consistent (and encouraging!): islanders want more local content, local conversations and local stories — not updates from walking groups in Sheffield!

This reinforces our belief that digital health works best when it reflects local people, local culture and local community services.

Our biggest challenge has not been the technology — it’s simply the time needed to build meaningful partnerships. Jersey’s health, community and charity sectors are passionate but busy, and collaboration takes time. Creating a “digital front door” that brings everyone together will be a slow, careful process, but one that is absolutely essential for long-term success.

Next Steps

As we approach the end of the year, we await several major contract decisions that could determine how quickly we can scale our services in 2025. A successful outcome would allow us to deliver many more free lifestyle medicine courses — both in-person and through the app — from early next year.

If not, we will continue working with partners, foundations and philanthropists to secure the funding needed to keep our programmes growing and accessible to all.

Alongside continuing to reverse metabolic syndrome conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and pre/diabetes, our long-term strategy includes extending support to areas such as:

  • Cancer recovery
  • Dementia
  • Mental health
  • Teenage wellbeing

We are also progressing our application with the Jersey Charity Commissioner. Achieving registered charity status will open doors to further funding and allow us to deliver even greater public benefit.

The digital platform will continue evolving based on user feedback and funding availability. Our technology partners in Sheffield — themselves Lifestyle Medicine professionals — are fully aligned with our mission to reverse chronic disease and reduce inequality. We know they have exciting plans ahead to make the app even more powerful, intuitive and inspiring.

A Word of Thanks

We are incredibly grateful to Digital Jersey for giving us the opportunity to expand our reach and connect the magic of Jersey — its people, its parishes, and its outstanding community services — with the evidence-based principles of lifestyle medicine.

Together, we are building something that has the potential to change lives for generations.

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