The Institute of Public HeHHealth in Ireland (IPH) was a member of the Bridge Consortium, led by the Tavistock Institute, that carried out an evaluation of Healthy Living Centres (HLCs) across the UK between 2002 and 2006. The Institute undertook case studies of selected HLCs in Northern Ireland as part of this work.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) commissioned the Institute to evaluate the Northern Ireland HLC programme in 2006, building on the work already carried out with the Bridge Consortium. The findings are contained in the summary report, Evaluation of Healthy Living Centres in Northern Ireland.

Overall, the report suggests that HLCs demonstrate a model of good practice in community development and health. They provide services to substantial numbers of people living in disadvantaged communities and appear to offer good value for money.

The HLC programme was funded by the Big Lottery Fund with the aim of promoting health in its broadest sense, targeting the most disadvantaged sectors of the community and addressing health inequalities.

HLCs were expected to provide innovative solutions to local needs, work in partnership with other organisations and engage with the community. A key feature was that the programme would work towards a vision of health encompassing not just physical health but also wellbeing, and enhancing quality of life.

Some 350 HLCs were funded by the New Opportunities Fund between 1999 and 2003: 257 in England, 19 in Northern Ireland, 46 in Scotland and 28 in Wales.