Our story
Why Living Well exists
Living Well was created to help people and organisations move from information to supported action — and to build evidence about what actually helps.
There is no shortage of health and wellbeing information. The harder part is knowing what to do with it — especially when people are managing disability, long-term conditions, menopause, caring responsibilities, financial pressure, low confidence or simply an already-overloaded life.
Living Well was created to bridge that gap by making support more practical, accessible and easier to use in everyday life. Rather than simply providing information, Living Well helps people understand their options, identify what matters, make realistic plans, access practical tools and take supported steps towards change.
Created by Dr Julie Winstanley
Living Well was founded by Dr Julie Winstanley, a psychologist, researcher and programme developer. Her professional experience spans more than two decades across research, higher education, programme development, large-scale needs assessment, service improvement, quality improvement, evaluation, funding development and the design of structured frameworks.
Julie’s work focuses particularly on the gap between providing people with information and enabling them to translate that information into meaningful action. This informed the development of the Living Well Action Framework™, which underpins Living Well’s approach to accessible understanding, practical planning, supported action and review.
Her approach combines behavioural science, practical implementation and digital innovation, with an emphasis on accessibility, real-world usefulness and measurable outcomes.
More than a wellbeing library
Living Well is not designed to be another static collection of articles, advice or resources. Its purpose is to help people move from passive information to supported action: accessible understanding combined with practical planning, useful tools, ongoing support, opportunities to act and ways to review progress.
Designed for real lives
People may be managing health conditions, disability, hormonal changes, work, caring responsibilities, financial pressures, relationships, motivation, confidence and social connection — often all at the same time. That is why Living Well brings different forms of practical support together rather than treating every challenge as a separate issue.
Working with organisations
Living Well Partners is the organisational arm of Dr Julie’s Living Well, working with employers, housing organisations, charities, community organisations, supported-living providers, health and social-care services, councils and other public-sector organisations. Organisations can begin with a focused pilot rather than committing to a large programme from the outset.
Building evidence as we grow
Living Well is developed with evaluation built into the model. We do not want to know only whether people enjoyed a programme. We want to understand what was used, what helped, what changed, where barriers remained and how support can be improved.
Let’s discuss what would be most useful for your organisation.
Tell us about the problem you are trying to understand or the change you are trying to make, and we will suggest a proportionate first step.