WellFed Cornwall

WellFed Network

The WellFed Network is a collaborative group of healthcare professionals, food growers, and community partners aiming to integrate health and food systems. Find out more about WellFed and other health creation networks. To join the network, email ClaireJ@volunteercornwall.org.uk. ​

WellFed Programme

The WellFed Programme is a pilot research initiative aimed at supporting individuals at risk of or with early-stage type 2 diabetes by providing weekly free boxes of locally grown vegetables for 12 weeks. ​ Participants receive additional support, such as cooking, g/rowing, and preparation skills, as well as encouragement to engage in community food activities to improve social connections, physical activity, and overall health. ​

It began as a partnership between Narrowcliff Surgery and Newquay Community Orchard (2023-24), funded by Cornwall Council Public Health, and showed positive outcomes, including weight loss, reduced diabetes markers (HbA1C), and increased engagement with healthy food. Subsequent pilots in other areas also demonstrated similar benefits.

Starting in late 2025, new pilots funded by Cornwall Council Public Health and the NHS will expand across Cornwall, offering enhanced support and community engagement opportunities. ​ The programme includes a robust data collection framework, overseen by researchers from the Universities of Bath and Cardiff, to evaluate impacts, identify barriers, and refine the approach for broader implementation. ​ The aim is to capture the impacts, make the case for commissioning, and learn more about the barriers and ensure conditions for success.

To join the network or find out more, email ClaireJ@volunteercornwall.org.uk. ​

View and download a summary of the WellFed Programme here.

WellFed programme steering group

WellFed is run as a partnership programme and is supported by a steering group.

Current steering group members

Emma Rowse – CEO of Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum

Dr Kath Brown – GP and Partner, Narrowcliff Surgery (Watergate PCN)

Lorraine Long – Deputy programme of care lead for population health, health inequalities and long-term conditions, CIoS Integrated Care Board (ICB)

Matt Sharp – Cornwall Council Public Health

Will Stableforth – Consultant gastro-enterologist and liver specialist, Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Gill Pipkin – Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum

Mark Wilson – University of Bath

Caroline Verfuerth – University of Cardiff

Paul Critchley – CEO, Active Cornwall

Jo Cadman – West ICA Development Manager, CIoS ICB

Danielle Kirby – East ICA Development Manager, CIoS ICB

Emma Seward-Adams – Social Prescribing Lead, Petroc Group Practice and Narrowcliff Surgery

Isabelle Webb – Health Coach, Petroc Group Practice

Hetty Ninnis – Community Growing Manager, Newquay Community Orchard

Sophie Bailey – Community Growing Development Worker, Sustainable Food Cornwall

Claire Judd – WellFed Project Officer, Volunteer Cornwall Health & Climate Resilience Team