A Town That Dares to Do Things Differently

Annabel Crooke
Oct 13
3 min read

Frome Inspires Action with Community Events

In a world where climate change, health challenges, and social pressures can feel overwhelming, the town of Frome is showing how local action, partnership and collaboration can create real impact. Through a series of innovative initiatives and upcoming events, Frome is demonstrating that health, wellbeing, and sustainability can be tackled together - with measurable results.

A Town That Dares to Do Things Differently

Frome has long been known for its bold approach to community-led solutions. Partnership and collaboration are at the heart of the town’s successes, from healthcare to housing and climate action.

A standout example is the Green & Healthy Frome project, co-created by Frome Medical Practice, Frome Town Council, and Edventure Frome. Initiatives such as Healthy Homes provide free practical advice and support to help residents access grants or low-interest loans to reduce energy bills, tackle damp, and future-proof their homes. The project is coordinated by Green and Healthy Frome at Edventure, facilitated by Frome Town Council, and supported by a priority referral system at Frome Medical Practice for patients experiencing respiratory issues due to poor housing conditions.

This joined-up approach addresses root causes rather than just symptoms, connecting health and housing, and climate for the wellbeing of the entire community.

Proven Impact on Health and Wellbeing

Frome’s commitment to integrated solutions has delivered tangible results. The introduction of Health Connections Mendip in 2018, which invested in social prescribing and health coaching, has:

Reduced hospital admissions by 14%
Helped 94% of patients feel more able to manage their health and wellbeing
Reduced healthcare costs by 21%

These results demonstrate the power of combining healthcare with community support and preventative action.

Helen Kingston,GP at Frome Medical Practice says,“Through a shared understanding of the importance of strong relationships and communities, we have found a way to systematically help individuals to reconnect to their community and re-establish a sense of agency and belonging…. (we) have achieved so much more than would have been possible as individual organisations.”

Upcoming Events to Inspire and Activate

Frome is hosting a series of events this autumn to share these insights and inspire community-led action:

Finding the Lights – 14th Oct, 7–8.30pm, Frome Town Hall An uplifting evening with Chris Smaje exploring equitable local solutions for society, economy, land, and food production.
Imagining Our Future Workshop with Rob Hopkins – 23rd Oct, 9am–4pm, Cheese & Grain. A hands-on session inviting participants to dream boldly about climate action and inform Frome Town Council’s ‘Climate Action Plan’.
How to Fall in Love with the Future – 23rd Oct, 7–9pm, Cheese & GrainRob Hopkins guides us to reframe our relationship with the future and create a world we want to live in.
Green & Healthy 2025 Conference – 3rd Nov, 9am–5pm, Wesley Church, FromeA conference for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community changemakers to share three years of learnings from improving health and climate. Participants will take away practical tools to replicate, adapt, or scale impact in their own communities.

A Collective Vision for Positive Change

These initiatives highlight Frome’s collaborative spirit and demonstrate that meaningful transformation happens when communities come together. By connecting ideas, partnerships, sharing knowledge, and working collectively, Frome is building resilience, improving health outcomes, and empowering residents to take climate action.

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