Now we're the happiest town!

WARRINGTON people have been ranked as the happiest in the North West – with the highest overall mental wellbeing score in the region.
The findings – in the North West Mental Wellbeing Survey – are in complete contrast to those in the government-backed Audit Commission quality of life survey which last month led to Warrington being dubbed the worst place to live in the country.
More than 18,500 people in Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cumbria were quizzed in the new survey, led by NHS North West, the Department of Health and the North West Public Health Observatory.
It was undertaken in response to a growing need to understand more about positive mental health and wellbeing.
The survey questioned respondents about feelings, relationships, health, lifestyles, perceptions of physical health and life events, place of residence, feeling of community, employment and education.
Overall the people of Warrington had the highest level of life satisfaction and sense of belonging within their local community.
Jackie Hodgkinson, mental health promotion specialist for NHS Warrington said:
“We are thrilled to hear that Warrington residents have the highest levels of mental wellbeing.
“Mental wellbeing is not just the absence of ill health, it also focuses on good relationships and the role of the wider community in how we feel about ourselves and others.
“The results obtained from this survey will now enable us to work closely with our partners to ensure we are continuing to improve the health and mental wellbeing of the Warrington population. We can also use this valuable data to identify the most vulnerable groups at risk of low levels of mental wellbeing. For example, white adults, male and female between the ages of 40-54, living in the most deprived areas, are most at risk.”
Other results for the North West survey found there were no differences in levels of mental wellbeing between men and women.
However there were differences by age group, deprivation and ethnic grouping. Results also found high levels of mental wellbeing were found among 25-39 year olds, among non-white adults and those living in the least deprived areas.
Dr Ruth Hussey, North West Regional Director of Public Health, said: “We all like to feel good about ourselves and the lives we lead. Our mental wellbeing affects everything we do. This survey shows that those with good mental wellbeing have a higher satisfaction with life and are much more likely to be in employment, be educated, be healthy and have closer relationships with others.”
The survey was the largest and most detailed investigation of the region’s health and mental wellbeing ever undertaken.
Coun Ian Marks, leader of Warrington Borough Council, (pictured) said: “I am absolutely delighted with the result of this survey, which is a very big and prestigious survey. The difference is that this survey involved actually asking people of Warrington what they thought, unlike the earlier one which was carried out by someone sitting in some tower in London.
“It confirms what we believe – that Warrington is a great place.”